Keeping commerce flowing: consolidated 0-emission deliveries in a shopping street under construction

By project SPOTLOG

Published on 30 December 2024

Belgium

Prov. Antwerpen

Mechelen

About this good practice

A popular shopping street in the heart of Mechelen was
being reconstructed. The intended result was a pleasant
shopping experience with climate adaptation and plenty of
green. The street will become a carfree zone with
timeframes for deliveries.
The final design looked promising, but the nuisance for retailers
would be considerable. The works would last for
6 months. Couriers wouldn’t be able to drive in front of the
shop to unload their deliveries and would have to stop at
the borders of the ongoing construction works. Even cargo
bikes would have difficulties passing through during some
weeks when specific construction works demand all the
available space.
Thanks to a cooperation with third party BD Logistics,
Mechelen was able to offer a logistic alternative to its
retailers. Retailers were encouraged to change their shipping
address to the city hub of BD Logistics in the North of
Mechelen. BD Logistics would bundle the goods and deliver
them with zero emission vehicles. This resulted in less vehicle
movements and was an appetizer for retailers to test
consolidating their goods at the border of the city.

Expert opinion

Delivery consolidation can offer many benefits for cities by optimising deliveries to reduce congestion and cut emissions. While in this case the practice was introduced temporarily to overcome construction disturbance, it also demonstrates that first experiences with consolidation can be started with smaller scale actions, working with a local logistics companies, and not needing high investment. This can act as a first test of the model and show to businesses that they work and can still result in good performance, while helping to minimise inconvenience to businesses of car-free zones and timeframes for deliveries.

Simon Hunkin

Works at Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform

Resources needed

The city paid for the consolidation and the last mile transport.
You need a good cooperation with a logistics service provider.
There was a foreseen budget of 20 K€.

Evidence of success

12 retailers made use of the services of BD Logistics.
• There were 172 deliveries done and 227 collections of
paper and carton were performed.
• 399 deliveries and pick ups were consolidated
during that time, saving 255 rides into the city.
• In total, 100kg CO2 emissions were saved.

Potential for learning or transfer

This practice showcases how cities can proactively support businesses during disruptive infrastructure projects, ensuring continuity while promoting greener and more efficient urban logistics systems. The key benefits include: uninterrupted supply chain, environmentally friendly logistics & reduced traffic movements by consolidation of deliveries
Essential advices are:
Advice 1.
Facilitate a good connection between the contractor of the
works and the third party appointed. By doing so, the third
party has privileged access to the construction site.
Advice 2.
Try to emphasize the ‘what’s in it for me’ to the retailers.
They are by nature reluctant. Therefore, make the process to
temporarily change the delivery process with as little hurdles
as possible.
Advice 3.
Regularly check for frustrations or other stumble blocks that
could hinder a smooth continuation.
Advice 4.
Foresee a dedicated loading and unloading zone for the
appointed party.
Watch the video: https://youtu.be/dertPlGkjFg