The Argumentation for the Implementation Of Urban Consolidation Center For the Old Town in Gdańsk as an Indication Of Sustainable Urban Freight Logistics

Abstract

Distribution of goods in urban areas is one of the most important factors affecting the operation of the region but the management of these services is often overlooked by transport policy makers in Polish cities. Historical buildings create additional difficulties because they make the infrastructure development impossible. It is estimated that in large European cities approximately 25% of CO2 emissions, 30% of nitrogen oxides and 50% of particulates from transport are emitted by trucks and vans. The doctoral thesis presents methods used to optimize distribution processes in cities with historic buildings in Europe and around the world. It also presents the results of a research carried out in the Old Town of Gdańsk and proposes a method to optimize distribution processes for the area, which was the main objective of the work. The hypothesis of the trial has been formulated as follows: locating Urban Consolidation Center not far away from the center of the City of Gdańsk would bring tangible benefits for the city and all users of the urban space. The study used a method of analysis and criticism of literature; detailed study of a particular case and the method of observation. According to the design model, the proposed solution will bring tangible benefits to all users of space – residents, businesses and city authorities. The results of tests carried out on account of this thesis were provided to the city authorities.

Towards Sustainable Urban Logistics: Creating Sustainable Urban Freight Transport on the Example of a Limited Accessibility Zone in Gdansk

“…Research carried out by the author in the region [17] and also two other ongoing ones, indicates that only those measures that do not require work or cost efforts, are accepted. The types of measures that were analyzed concerned regulatory, technological, infrastructural, services, economic, urban and energy actions.…”

“…In 2013, in the described area in Gdansk, resulting from the research carried out by the author under the honorary patronage of the then President of Gdansk, chaos and arbitrariness prevailed in the field of supply. The deliveries were not organized in any way [17]. In 2014, the President of the City of Gdansk established the Limited Accessibility Zone (LAZ) in the center of Gdansk, covering the area of 20 ha inside the Main Town area.…”

The Tendency of Urban Stakeholders to Adopt Sustainable Logistics Measures on the Example of a Polish Metropolis

“…Although there are papers on urban logistics, in Poland [17,18,[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] this field remains an area where there is still need of research and data to introduce innovative solutions, and above all to broaden awareness that city logistics is no less important than commuters mobility and that these are not separate but mutually dependent areas. There is a need for cooperation between the private and public sector.…”

“…Awareness of the importance of efficient urban logistics for the city's development remains low, which is particularly evident in Tricity, as confirmed by research conducted by the author in 2013-2015 [18].…”

“…Two dominant attitudes in the society are the mistrust towards competition and the belief that the authorities do nothing that could favor entrepreneurs. Hence, the reluctance to establish cooperation on the road in order to increase efficiency and to make decision to use solutions based on cooperation, such as Urban Consolidation Center (UCC) [18].…”