The movement of goods in cities was largely ignored as a research and policy topic in Europe for about 20 years from the mid 1970’s until the early 1990’s. The reasons for this are not completely clear but might be partially because the attempts in the early 1970’s to develop freight distribution centres in towns was not a particular success. Whatever the reasons such long-term neglect is certainly surprising since freight traffic is essential for the economic functioning of a town and also since the traffic has significant effects on congestion and the environment. There has been a dramatic change in the last few years and numerous studies and experiments are now going on in cities across Europe. In this paper the author looks at some of the issues and see if there are broad areas of convergence between cities and in the views of the different actors. He first looks at the role and impacts of freight in towns, then at some of the information we have on trends and characteristics. Some of the policy and practical issues are examined that need to be settled and finally some of the possible ways forward presented. (A)
Abstract