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The City Fix
By Hamilton Steimer and Vishant Kothari
Urban freight and delivery services boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic as consumers switched to online shopping when businesses were forced to close. The surge in online market activity that began in 2020 builds on a decade of steady growth related to the development of new delivery services, changing demographics and globalizing supply chains.
Rising urban freight and delivery activity produces serious environmental and human health consequences, particularly poor air quality, higher greenhouse gas emissions and increased traffic congestion, which can be especially detrimental to low-income communities. In response, city policymakers are exploring innovative freight solutions that can not only decarbonize the sector, but potentially advance social and economic equity and improve quality of life.