Business models in urban logistics

Abstract

Abstract
An efficient urban transport system is essential for sustainable development in urban areas. Urban logistics is now facing many difficult challenges due to:• Increasing urbanization.• Increasing demand for frequent and just-in-time deliveries in urban areas.• Increasing competition for the use of limited urban infrastructure.• Increasing complexity of the multidisciplinary problems both encountered and caused by urban goods transport.On the other hand, the opportunities for dealing with the challenges have increased in recent years. Not only governments, but also the private sector and citizens have become aware of the need for sustainable development and are realizing that it is a common responsibility of both public and private actors. Because of the complexity of issues involved in sustainable development objectives, engaging private sector and citizens in the decision-making process and thereby developing accountable partnerships among all stakeholders have become important in the policy-making process. Urban logistics, the last link of the logistic chain, is thus a sector of activity which has great importance for its economic impact and for the dependencies that other economic activities have on these services. The current paper makes a conceptual review of some urban logistic solutions already implemented and identifies the critical aspects for the design of business models related with urban logistics. Our aim is to identify and clarify the potential schemes of urban logistics and to understand the requirements for a successful development of the proper business models for their implementation within the urban logistic framework.