Plan for sustainable urban logistics – comparing between Scandinavian and UK practices

TLDR

Urban freight planning faces regional challenges, requires integration into general transport planning, and its identification is essential to assess contributions. The study examines how Scandinavian and UK urban logistics plans apply SUTP, SUMP, and SULP guidelines and argues that national guidance could foster European standardization. A systematic literature review identified mobility‑freight studies, and the authors analyzed how SULPs, SUTPs, and SUMPs are structured and applied in Scandinavian and UK plans, particularly within collaborative frameworks. The review found that UK urban freight plans are more common than in Scandinavia and that both regions design these plans with a sustainability focus to set visions and policy measures.

Abstract

Common practices in current urban logistics planning in Scandinavia and the UK, and the degree to which SUTP (Sustainable Urban Transport Plan), SUMP (Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans) and SULP (Sustainable Urban Logistics Plans) guidelines are used, are examined in this paper. A systematic literature review identifies relevant studies based on predefined inclusion criteria: mobility, freight, urban, plan. It is found that urban freight plans are used more frequently in the UK than in the Scandinavian countries. SULPs (freight strategies, action plans or parts of a mobility plan) follow a structure that identifies the current situation and defines the strategic context, vision, targets and objectives using selected policy measures, measures that are dependent on geographical scope. Urban freight plans are designed with a sustainability perspective to define visions and policy measures for urban freight. SUTP, SUMP and SULP methodologies are used in existing Scandinavian and UK urban freight plans, especially when a collaborative planning approach is being practiced. The emphasis on urban freight is challenged by the regional perspective. Integrating urban freight in general planning procedures or transport planning is important. Government guidance and sustainable strategies can provide a planning methodology and, therefore, based on national guidelines further European structural standardisation could be beneficial. Identification of freight plans is crucial if the contributions they make are to be determined.