The future of city logistics business parks: linking ‘stuff’ and ‘fluff’

Due to housing plans in many European, there is less room for city logistics activities. The loss of light industrial areas in and around cities leads to major city logistics problems. How will we receive our parcels at home, how will restaurants, cafés, and shops be delivered?

Many European cities will grow in the coming decades, both in terms of population and activities. Population growth is strongly related to employment growth. The integration of working and living in cities is important to remain economically and socially diverse and also to create local job opportunities for skilled workers in the future.

Moving away from the city?

Companies can look for more space further away from the city. But that does not help a local parcel company, catering provider, service engineer or the plumber. This will create all kinds of new problems. Employees have to travel to work longer (often by car) and delivery vans have to drive further back and forth. That is not good for accessibility nor CO2-footprint. Moreover, the greater distance to the city is a constraint for the use of clean, electric transport. Hubs for city-supporting activities must be close to the city; avoid logistics sprawl.