by Walther Ploos van Amstel
Which frontier technologies matter most for companies in 2025? McKinsey’s annual tech trends report highlights the latest technology breakthroughs, talent trends, and use cases, as well as their potential impact on companies across various sectors, such as mobility. The mobility landscape is undergoing rapid transformation, shaped by technological innovation, sustainability demands, and evolving urban dynamics. …
The strategic design of city logistics networks is fundamental to enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. Key dimensions of this strategic design include network structure, mode selection, fleet composition, governance, service design, regulatory adaptation, and digital infrastructure. The network is determined by balancing high service standards, economic efficiency, optimized network configuration, and market responsiveness. A complex …
In cities around the world, logistics plays a crucial but often invisible role. From early morning supermarket deliveries to the increasing number of parcel vans navigating through neighborhoods, urban freight is an integral part of daily life. Yet, despite its importance, city logistics remains under-researched and poorly understood, mainly due to a lack of good …
Urban logistics is at a turning point. Today, last-mile operations already account for 30% of transport-related CO₂ emissions in cities. While the EU Green Deal targets a 50–55% reduction in emissions for vans and cars by 2030, many local authorities are also moving toward zero-emission zones to advance clean urban logistics. To address these challenges, …
As urban freight volumes increase and sustainability pressures intensify, cities are exploring innovative solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of transportation. One emerging concept is the Driverless Multipurpose Vehicle (DMV)—an autonomous, electric heavy-duty vehicle capable of switching between transport applications or combining them during a single operation. But how do these modular vehicles compare to …
As cities grow and freight volumes rise, urban logistics faces mounting challenges, from traffic congestion and emissions to inefficient deliveries. A recent study in Berlin-Adlershof, a technology-driven urban development area, explores how data-driven insights into corporate shipping and receiving behavior can support more sustainable freight transport. Why Focus on Business Parcels? Most research in urban …
Urban areas are growing rapidly, and with them come familiar challenges: air and noise pollution, traffic congestion, parking shortages, and safety concerns. In this context, freight transport has become increasingly fragmented due to e-commerce, and as a result, it lacks coordination across supply chains. To address these challenges, a new study presents a co-creation-based decision …
Living Labs (LLs) are collaborative spaces where governments, companies, researchers, and citizens come together to co-create and test innovative solutions for complex urban challenges. In the context of city logistics, LLs offer a unique opportunity to rethink and improve urban freight systems by facilitating shared learning, experimentation, and cooperation across sectors, free from short-term agendas …
Platform work has become deeply embedded in everyday life in Germany. Whether it’s ordering groceries via Flink, hailing a ride with Uber, or hiring a cleaner through Helpling, millions rely on digital platforms for convenience. Yet, behind this convenience lies a growing concern: the workers powering these services often lack basic labour protections. The Fairwork …
The growth of e-commerce has reshaped retail and city streets. Today, more than 20% of global retail sales happen online, a trend that shows no sign of slowing. This has brought undeniable convenience to consumers and economic gains for retailers and logistics providers. However, it has also led to a surge in delivery vehicles on …