Monday, April 13th, 2026
As cities grow and logistics demand continues to rise, the question of how to use urban space more efficiently is becoming increasingly important. Streets, sidewalks and public areas must now accommodate not only people and passenger mobility, but also a growing volume of goods movement. Traditional approaches to urban planning are no longer sufficient to handle this complexity.
This challenge was at the heart of the recent POLIS-ALICE webinar on the mixed use of urban space for city logistics #2, which brought together experts and practitioners to explore how cities can better integrate logistics activities into the urban fabric, without compromising liveability.
Opening the session, Raffaele Vergnani (POLIS) highlighted the growing tension between logistics needs and public space use. He emphasised that logistics must be recognised as a core component of urban systems, requiring more flexible and dynamic planning approaches. Rather than fixed infrastructure and static zoning, cities need adaptable solutions that can respond to changing demand and multiple uses.
The webinar showcased three concrete initiatives demonstrating how this transition is already taking shape across Europe.
Through the GRETA project, Marta Cudziło (Łukasiewicz – Poznań Institute of Technology) presented the deployment of a transhipment micro-hub in Poznań. The pilot involved a 36-square-meter hub for cargo bikes, which handled 28% of parcels in the region, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 30%. The pilot illustrates how localised logistics infrastructure can support more sustainable last-mile deliveries by enabling the use of cargo bikes in dense urban areas. While the pilot confirmed the operational and environmental benefits of this approach, it also highlighted the importance of regulatory support and stakeholder coordination to scale such solutions.
A complementary perspective was offered by Luca Braidotti (University of Venice) through the DISCO project, which focuses on making urban logistics more dynamic and data driven. The pilot explored solutions such as movable parcel lockers and digital tools for managing curb space. The dynamic lockers, integrated into electric modular pods (E-pods), achieved an 84.4% success rate for first-delivery attempts using a greedy allocation algorithm. The system facilitated 328 deliveries over 600 kilometres with minimal emissions. The pilot’s smart curb management, enabled by bookable loading zones and dynamic signalling reduced conflicts and illegal parking. It demonstrated the potential for shared, demand-responsive logistics infrastructure, though initial costs were high due to the need for on-site drivers.
Looking at the broader system level, Francesco Viti (University of Luxembourg) introduced the NEXTLOGIC project, which was launched in January 2026 and takes a holistic approach to urban logistics planning through the development of a digital twin platform. This platform will enable stakeholders to co-create and test solutions virtually before physical implementation. The project involves eight mission cities committed to carbon neutrality by 2030 and focuses on integrated mobile microhubs, smart curb management, and incentives for sustainable transport. By combining digital tools, stakeholder collaboration and policy alignment, the project seeks to support cities in designing integrated logistics systems that are both efficient and sustainable.
The webinar underscored the importance of flexibility, collaboration, and data-driven innovation in urban logistics. Pilots like GRETA and DISCO demonstrated the feasibility of shared, modular infrastructure and dynamic curb management, while NEXTLOGIC highlight the potential of digital tools to accelerate sustainable logistics planning. The concluding discussion also underlined the importance of moving beyond isolated pilots towards scalable and integrated approaches. While many promising solutions are being tested, their long-term impact will depend on how well they are embedded into city strategies and supported by the right policy frameworks.
The webinar confirmed that the future of urban logistics lies in flexibility, coordination and smarter use of space. As cities continue to evolve, ensuring that logistics can coexist with public life will be essential for maintaining both efficiency and quality of life.
The webinar concluded with announcements of upcoming events, including the Transport Research Arena in Budapest and the Urban Logistics Innovation Day, where these projects will be further discussed.
Read the full report to explore the use cases, insights and lessons in detail.