Urban logistics is essential for the functioning of cities. It enables the movement of goods and services needed by businesses, public services and residents. At the same time, urban logistics requires addressing environmental, spatial, social and operational challenges while creating more connected and efficient logistics systems.
ALICE’s Urban Logistics Thematic Group 5 (TG5) brings together logistics operators, shippers, retailers, public authorities, technology providers, researchers and urban mobility stakeholders to shape the future of sustainable urban logistics in Europeto facilitate innovation uptake, collaboration and contribute to strategic, practical and policy-oriented results.
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Urban logistics is highly connected with city planning, mobility systems, public space management, regulation, digital infrastructure, waste management, construction sites, consumer behaviour and business operations. For this reason, TG5’s activities focus on both operational solutions and the governance conditions needed for their implementation.
TG5 works closely with the other ALICE Thematic Groups. It connects with TG1 on the deployment of zero-emission vehicles and ‘green energy supply, TG2 on urban nodes, infrastructures and multimodality, TG3 on digitalisation, data spaces, digital twins and artificial intelligence, and TG4 on coordination, consolidation and collaborative logistics.
by accelerating the transition to zero-emission and circular logistics systems
by enabling data-driven, connected and transparent logistics networks
by improving the utilisation of transport, infrastructure and energy resources
TG5 supports the transition towards zero-emission urbanlogistics by addressing the operational and systemic changes needed to reduce emissions from urban freight. This includes the integration of zero-emission solutions into logistics operations, charging and infrastructure needs, new delivery and consolidation models, and the adaptation of operations to different urban contexts.
TG5 also supports the development and implementation of practical frameworks and recommendations that help cities and companies move towards zero-emission urban logistics.
Urban logistics benefits effective public-private cooperation. TG5 works on governance, regulatory frameworks, city access, urban nodes, Sustainable Urban Logistics Planning (SULPs) and policy recommendations that support practical implementation.
This includes ALICE’s contribution to the Expert Group on Urban Mobility (EGUM) and its work on business access to cities and urban nodes.
Urban logistics requires well-managed and accessible space. TG5 addresses the role of micro-hubs, loading bays, curbside management, parking and under used infrastructures, multifunctional urban spaces, and the integration of logistics needs into urban planning.
This focus is closely connected to the ALICE Multifunctional Urban Space Community, which promotes the smarter use of urban space through innovative logistics, planning and collaborative solutions.
Digital tools and data exchange are increasingly important for managing urban logistics. TG5 supports work on urban freight data interoperability, digital platforms, data spaces, digital twins, visibility tools and information-sharing approaches that improve coordination between cities and logistics stakeholders.
This focus is closely connected to the Digital Urban Freight Community, which brings together experts, practitioners and policymakers to advance interoperability, data governance and data-driven collaboration in urban logistics, as well as to TG3 work on digital logistics systems.
Circular economy models and changing consumer behaviour are changing the logistics flows in cities. TG5 addresses reverse logistics, returns, reusable packaging, waste-related flows, repair and reuse activities, as well as the role of delivery choices and out-of-home delivery options in supporting more circular and efficient logistics models.
This includes the integration of reverse and circular flows into urban logistics networks, covering returns, consumer behaviour, reusable and returnable packaging, waste and recyclable materials.TG5 supports exchange on how logistics models can facilitate circular value chains, respond to consumer needs and reduce the impacts of urbandeliveries.
In 2025, TG5 strengthened its policy and innovation uptake role by continuing its support of the Expert Group on Urban Mobility, contributing to recommendations on urban logistics, formalising cooperation with EIT Urban Mobility, issuing a joint statement with POLIS and the European Parking Association, and expanding collaboration with international stakeholders.
This work contributes to ALICE 4 Impact by linking policy, research, operational experience and practical implementation for sustainable zero-emission urban logistics.
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TG5 contributes to strategic, practical and policy-oriented outputs linked to urban freight, zero-emission logistics, digitalisation, public space, governance and innovation uptake.
DISCO is a Horizon Europe Innovation Action developing a federated Urban Freight Data Space and a Physical Internet-led Meta Model Suite to support data-driven, sustainable urban logistics planning and operations across European cities.
GOLIA is a Horizon Europe project developing a new adaptive mobility governance model that combines data-driven decision-making, social well-being objectives, and inclusive policymaking to create fairer, more sustainable, and resilient urban mobility systems.
GreenTurn helps consumers, retailers, logistics providers and public authorities make e-commerce deliveries and returns more sustainable by combining transparent environmental footprint information, behavioural interventions and zero-emission logistics solutions.
NEXTLOGIC is collaborative, digitally empowered platform enabling cities to co-design, test and deploy net-zero urban freight and mobility solutions through advanced Digital Twin and Extended Reality technologies.
Shift2Zero is developing a new generation of purpose-built electric light commercial vehicles (e-LCVs) to accelerate the transition to zero-emission urban and suburban logistics through user-centric vehicle design, operational innovation and large-scale real-life demonstrations.
DELPHI develops a federated network of platforms to improve the integration of passenger and freight transport through data sharing, multimodal coordination and AI-driven optimisation.
LogE-Hubs is an urban logistics innovation project funded by EIT Urban Mobility, aiming to enhance logistics hub efficiency through digital platforms and AI-driven decision-making.
URBANE develops and scales innovative, sustainable last-mile logistics solutions through multi-actor collaboration, Living Labs and Physical Internet-inspired approaches across European cities.
The ALICE Knowledge Platform gives TG5 members access to more detailed knowledge, including programme materials, project outputs, webinar reports, presentations, policy updates, community resources and discussion spaces.
TG5 is led by representatives from the ALICE membership and supported by the ALICE Secretariat.
TG5 is relevant for organisations involved in urban freight, last-mile delivery, e-commerce logistics, retail, parcel delivery, city logistics planning, clean vehicles, public authorities, data platforms, urban space management, micro-hubs, parking and curbside management, circular logistics, consumer engagement and mobility.
Participation includes exchange on operational needs, policy developments, city-industry cooperation, project results, use cases, deployment barriers, research priorities and collaboration opportunities linked to sustainable urban logistics.
Members can contribute by joining communities, participating in webinars and workshops, sharing best practices, connecting with projects, supporting implementation of recommendations, contributing to innovation uptake and using the Knowledge Platform to exchange resources and insights.