At the World Conference on Transport Research (WCTR) in Toulouse, Jonathan Fetka presented findings from the POTUS project in a special session on the 15-minute city and its implications for urban freight transport. Following a series of short presentations, international experts discussed in a fishbowl session how cities can prepare for changing demands in urban logistics and freight transport.

Linda Dörrzapf presented the paper “Bringing proximity to the edge – temporary interventions for sustainable mobility at the urban outskirt?”. The presentation covered results from the Living Lab Vienna within the DREAMS DUT project and addressed approaches to sustainable mobility and the 15-minute city in urban fringe areas.

The discussion on urban freight transport highlighted that, in addition to better data, spatially sensitive models, and questions related to infrastructure and regulation, a better understanding of the spatial influences on shopping and ordering behaviour is needed. This knowledge provides an important basis for systematically integrating freight transport into planning and urban design concepts, for example through the planning of micro-hubs, loading zones, and last-mile measures.

A key takeaway from the session was that mobility research and public authorities should collaborate even more closely to integrate freight transport into urban planning based on evidence and to jointly develop suitable solutions for future challenges.

Many thanks to the WCTR organisers and all participants for the engaging professional exchange.