by Walther Ploos van Amstel
As part of the EU single market strategy adopted in May 2025, a new EU Delivery Act is proposed to replace the Postal Services Directive and the Cross-border Parcels Regulation in Q4 2026. Reform of EU rules on postal services will focus on delivery as a service, ensuring that people and businesses can receive deliveries …
ICCT published an interesting blog about Zero-emission zones: The Netherlands’ path to cleaner urban freight. The blog presents lessons for other countries. But are these lessons true? What is really going on in the Netherlands? Are zero-emissions zones a no-regret measure for cities worldwide? As of January 1, 2025, sixteen Dutch municipalities have implemented zero-emission …
Recent research has underscored the central role of local authorities in shaping sustainable urban logistics. Although European directives have long encouraged greener freight solutions, French planning documents have historically paid limited attention to logistics. A new study, analyzing 121 local authorities, provides fresh insights into how urban logistics is being gradually integrated into local public …
Urban freight is the silent engine of city life. From parcels and groceries to construction materials, logistics keeps urban economies moving. Yet this essential flow of goods also contributes heavily to congestion, noise, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. With urban populations and e-commerce both rising sharply, sustainable solutions for city logistics are more urgent …
Cities across Europe are under pressure to deliver cleaner, safer, and more efficient urban logistics. With zero-emission zones expanding, e-commerce booming, and construction traffic reshaping streets, the need for reliable data on freight flows has never been greater. The recent recommendations of the Expert Group on Urban Mobility (EGUM) highlight how data sharing can unlock …
City logistics is under pressure. Zero-emission zones are rolling out, streets are busier than ever, and public space is scarce. At the same time, new technologies and business models are emerging—from e-cargo bikes and autonomous robots to digital curb management platforms and microhubs. The challenge is clear: how do we create room to experiment, without …
Delivering goods safely and cleanly – and collecting waste efficiently – in our city centers is a significant challenge. This is especially true since the introduction of zero-emission zones on January 1, 2025, while urban populations continue to grow. The Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) predicts that by 2035, the four largest cities will experience …
A new report from London’s Cross River Partnership (CRP) highlights how digital kerbside management can transform freight operations and urban air quality. In collaboration with Grid Smarter Cities, CRP piloted a network of eight Virtual Loading Bays (VLBs) across London. Kerbside Management Technology Kerbside Management Technology is designed to dynamically manage urban kerb space, helping …
As cities grow denser and more complex, we’re seeing a notable shift: logistics activities are increasingly coexisting with residential areas. This merging is not accidental; it’s driven by a combination of spatial, economic, and functional pressures that reshape how we plan and use urban space. First, space is at a premium. Urban land is scarce …
The rapid growth of warehousing and distribution (W&D) centers across U.S. cities is reshaping urban freight systems. As demand for fast deliveries climbs, logistics facilities are moving closer to residential areas, raising serious concerns about health risks from increased freight traffic. Communities already burdened by industrial activity are particularly vulnerable to the noise, air pollution, …