The Parcel Industry in the Spatial Organization of Logistics Activities in the Paris Region: Inherited Spatial Patterns and Innovations in Urban Logistics Systems

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to study the location of the parcel industry, and its place in the spatial organization of logistics activities in the Paris Region. In particular, we wish to compare the location of the parcel industry to the location of other logistics activities. In order to do this, we review in part one the existing factors that determines the location of logistics activities. We use this literature review to draw initial conclusions on the distinctive characteristics of the parcel industry. In part two, we use existing data on the location of establishments in the Paris Region to study the dispersion of the parcel industry compared to the dispersion of other logistics activities. Finally, in part three, we provide a partial explanation for this difference: a spatial hysteresis of the big stakeholders of the parcel industry, and the emergence of innovative logistics solutions.