Energy Cities proposition 34 - Implement goods delivery schemes
Urban planning as a way of reducing energy use
2014
Energy Cities is a network of more than 1,000 cities in 30 different countries. Convinced that energy transition is more than a question of renewable energy or advanced technologies, Energy Cities proposes to use resources in a reasoned way, to strengthen local participation and to improve the quality of life in a democratic Europe. In 2014, the network presents 30 proposals for the Energy Transition of Territories.
They are a source of inspiration to think and act differently. To finally turn the page on unsustainable practices that lead us into energy, climate and perhaps economic and social dead ends.
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Energy Cities proposition 34 - Implement goods delivery schemes
The problem at hand
Delivering goods to the city centre is a significant part of urban traffic. It concerns goods delivered to all sorts and types of shops and increasingly to households, a trend that is on the rise.
The US-inspired model of hypermarkets located at motorway junctions or near peri-urban ring roads has prevailed in many countries for two main reasons: it reduces delivery constraints and most households have a car. This has led to millions of private car journeys and has sterilised a considerable amount of building areas. But this energy-intensive system is coming to an end.
We are witnessing a movement towards the relocation of shops in neighbourhoods. At the same time, e-commerce is developing, leading to an increase in energy-saving home deliveries. Shopping areas are getting closer to dwelling areas, thus compelling local authorities and their partners to manage delivery traffic differently by coming up with efficient and often innovative solutions!
Proposal
Integrating goods delivery into the city’s organisation requires imagination.
Conventional approaches based on defining shop delivery times only partially answer the problem, we must go even further. Group delivery platforms using electric vehicles, local depots for bulky e-commerce products, parking spaces reserved for home deliveries, delivering by bike or scooter and waterways are just a few examples of innovative solutions.
Conditions for success
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Aiming at a service level that is much higher than that sought by individual solutions.
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Working in collaboration with traffic generators, in particular retailers and chambers of commerce.
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Anticipating the increase in e-commerce demand and the related changes in goods flows.
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Ensuring that the solutions selected are user-friendly and contribute to a dynamic city life.