The ULaaDS policy brief sets forth transformative recommendations for urban logistics, advocating for optimised space allocation, active stakeholder engagement, fair competition in freight transport, and the strategic integration of technology. These pillars aim to reshape urban logistics into a more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable system, addressing the pressing challenges of modern cities.

ULaaDS took action in three bike-friendly cities: Bremen (DE), Groningen (NL), and Mechelen (BE), all of which have Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) in place.

Bremen, a bustling harbour city in northwest Germany, stands out with 570k residents, a quarter of whom choose bicycles for their daily travels, earning it the title of Germany’s most cycle-friendly city. Groningen, a university city in the northeast Netherlands, is well-known for its cyclist-friendly infrastructure, benefitting its 200k inhabitants. Mechelen, a historically rich city just northeast of Brussels with 87k residents, has committed to achieving zero-emission city logistics by 2030, chronicled in its covenant with 33 logistics service providers and interest organisations.

These three cities, in collaboration with their local governments, logistics communities, and research partners, led the way for ULaaDS: a range of cargo bikes, microhubs, and parcel lockers trials showcased their viability and added value.

By testing cargo-hitching and autonomous vehicles, ULaaDS revealed the potential of these solutions while finding framework conditions and limitations that might hinder further exploitation. ULaaDS didn’t just focus on commercial freight, but also delved into private micro-logistics, a significant component of urban transport.