As part of the CILOLAB project, TNO organized a session in collaboration with the City of Amsterdam and the Portland Bureau of Transportation at the UrbanismNext conference. The session focused on the spatial integration of logistics within the urban environment.
Despite ongoing efforts to reduce, optimize, and clean up the logistics system, logistics remains an essential part of the streetscape. But what impact does this have in different parts of the city, and what can we do about it? The session also sparked a discussion on the differing impacts of logistics between Europe and the United States. Finally, the question was raised: what is the true value of urban space? The City of Amsterdam shared a presentation highlighting their challenges in reducing the logistics footprint—what are these measures really worth to the city, and should they be prioritized?
The session concluded that the interaction between space and the impact of logistics—measured in square meters, emissions, and more subjective parameters—varies significantly by neighborhood type. Further research is needed into the value of logistics solutions (such as white-label hubs) for urban space.
It also became clear that the organization of urban logistics is shaped by accessibility and space, with spatial planning setting the boundaries. It is crucial to distinguish between predictable and unpredictable flows and to quantify the spatial claims of logistics. Through strategic spatial planning, cities can develop a future logistics system that is both efficient and sustainable—without requiring space that simply doesn’t exist in dense urban areas.
We would like to thank everyone who attended the session. Interested in learning more? Feel free to reach out to one of the researchers!
