Category «Food for thoughts»

Ecosystems and supply chains: How do they differ and relate?

In developing (circular) urban value chains, we often discuss developing ecosystems to deal with the systemic questions involving multiple stakeholders in these value chains. How do ecosystems differ from and relate to supply chains? Ecosystems best suit dynamic business environments with complex and evolving technical systems. Recently Hervé Legenvre, Ari-Pekka Hameri, and Ruggero Golini published …

The promise of cargo bikes? Riders should have access to good and fair employment

Cargo bike deliveries have a role in reaching net zero ambitions, reducing congestion, and providing an efficient and affordable means of logistics. Cargo bike deliveries also have the potential to provide quality employment, differentiated from the ‘gig economy.’ However, cargo bike delivery riders can experience precarious work and health and safety risks. Furthermore, the workforce …

Industry groups warn on new EU truck CO₂ rules risk to supply chains

Road transport, shippers, and energy groups in Europe have called for carbon-neutral fuels to be recognized as a long-term decarbonization solution, alongside electrification and hydrogen, for a well-functioning and stable EU logistics sector. In a joint letter sent today to EU Executive Vice President Frans Timmermans, IRU, the European Shippers’ Council, and FuelsEurope – representing road …

Is energy the new gold in real estate?

Is energy the new gold for real estate companies? In conversations about city logistics real estate development, developers often see charging demand for electric vehicles as a chore. It’s inconvenient, takes a long time, and you don’t have a clue. But the charging infrastructure has to get there. And fortunately, many market players are willing …

Proximity for all: implementing inclusive 15-Minute City concepts

Researchers from Munich shed new light on the accessibility and inclusion debate in urban mobility. Taking Carlos Moreno’s 15-Minute City concept as a starting point, nurtured by the latest insights from recent experiments, the scientists developed a practitioner’s roadmap highlighting concrete steps to plan, develop and implement the 15-Minute City in a few neighborhoods but …

Outsourcing the last mile: should regulation be strictly focused on the urban segment?

Because of the development of e-commerce and the reduction of shipment size, the parcel delivery sector is growing rapidly. However, faced with their client’s demands and constraints of urban cities (parking, congestion, delivery density), the parcel delivery groups have chosen to outsource their urban deliveries. This enables them to reduce payroll costs and implies economic …

Do we need an Amazon tax?

Barcelona is to become the first Spanish city to implement a so-called ‘Amazon tax,’ targeting online sellers such as e-commerce giant Amazon. The levy aims to tax these companies for using public space by delivery vehicles and to level the playing field for local small businesses. From February 2023, all postal operators with an annual …