Planning and development of sustanable logistics systems at a micro-level

Abstract

The sustainability of urban areas is for decades a controversial point in the issues of sustainable development. Inefficient realization of logistics activities in urban areas results in numerous negative effects on sustainability. Especially unsustainable consequences are those of the dominant road transportation role in urban goods delivery. Achieving sustainability at a micro-level is possible only with the planning of city logistics (CL) systems through the development of different logistics centres categories, flow consolidation, cooperation, and intensive application of alternative transportation modes. The planning of CL systems is a complex task that involves several stakeholders with complex interrelationships and conflicting goals. This article indicates the importance of CL planning in achieving local, micro sustainability. Main stakeholders, criteria, and CL concepts are described in the article. In accordance with the existing literature in the field, new technologies, and approaches, seven potentially sustainable CL concepts are defined.