Urban freight transport sustainability – Towards a strategic framework

Paper in proceeding, 2012

Purpose of this paper: The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the development of a strategic framework for sustainable urban freight transport that provides an understanding of the constitutional principles underpinning the functioning of urban freight transport and by this ensures relevant aspects of sustainability are not missed in designing sustainable urban freight transport strategies. Design/methodology/approach: In a deductive approach a descriptive model for sustainable freight transport is developed, which is based on the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD) Findings: The descriptive model shows the relations between the urban stakeholders and how an integrated planning contributes to a reduced environmental impact, better transport network effectiveness and logistics performance. Research implications The descriptive model can be a reference point for future theory development and empirical research on sustainable urban freight transport. Practical implications: The descriptive model can help authorities to better understand the nature of freight movements and their impacts, and by this facilitates the coordination of individual actions strengthening the effectiveness of sustainable freight transport strategies. What is original/value of paper: The definition of sustainable freight transport based on principles contributes to a more holistic understanding of sustainable development, which is still mostly one-dimensional focusing only on the environmental dimension.