by Walther Ploos van Amstel
If you’ve ever sat through a transport planning meeting, you’ll recognize the pattern. Slides on walking, cycling, public transit, maybe some discussion of electric vehicles, and then, right at the end, almost apologetically: “…and freight.” Dr Daniela Paddeu has spent her career pushing back against exactly that dynamic. As Associate Professor of Sustainable Freight Futures …
The last mile is undergoing a rapid technological shift. Logistics companies are electrifying their fleets and deploying new digital systems for routing, tracking, and delivery management. Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly built into these systems, promising lower emissions, shorter distances, reduced fuel use, and lower operating costs. But Hanbit Chang’s dissertation, Rerouting the Last-Mile: Contested …
The Amsterdam metropolitan region faces a major spatial challenge. New housing, the energy transition, green infrastructure, and economic activity are all competing for scarce urban land. At the same time, the city aims to become fully circular by 2050. That immediately raises spatial questions: which circular functions are needed, how much space each requires, and …
E-commerce and new delivery trends are reshaping how our streets are used — and how they feel. Delivery vans, cargo bikes, and couriers now compete for curb space that was once reserved for pedestrians, cyclists, and social life. The rise of last-mile logistics is no longer just a transport or technical challenge; it’s an urban …
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 …
Many cities around the world are missing out on significant development opportunities by ignoring, underutilizing, or mismanaging their public-space assets. Yet there is enormous potential to use these spaces more strategically and to unlock the hidden value they generate for communities, neighborhoods, and cities as a whole. The World Bank’s report, The Hidden Wealth of …
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, …
A recent study in Norway sheds light on the evolving role of urban authorities in freight governance, particularly in smaller cities. While local governments have a presence in freight-related decision-making, many perceive their influence as limited—either by narrow institutional mandates or by a reluctance to regulate freight activities more assertively. This uncertainty often leads to …
Aligning parking policy with real-world driver behavior—through flexible sessions, smarter pricing, and optional reservations—can significantly improve curbside efficiency and reduce delivery friction. Urban planners and transport policymakers should consider these insights when modernizing curbside management to support sustainable and efficient last-mile delivery. Urban logistics professionals know all too well the challenges of finding parking for …
ChatGPT said: Combining housing and logistics activities in the same neighborhood is possible, but it requires careful planning and design to ensure livability, safety, and efficiency. High-performance and low-impact supply chains benefit from the presence of logistics facilities in proximity to goods’ destinations. ‘Proximity logistics’ is the development of logistics facilities in high-demand areas, which …