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Spatial fragment parcel deliveries landscape in a global south city: The case of Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Author

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  • Oliveira, Leise Kelli
  • Sousa, Luísa Tavares Muzzi
  • Santos Junior, Jorge Luiz
  • Bracarense, Lilian dos Santos Fontes Pereira

Abstract

In Brazil, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the growth of e-commerce. In this paper, we explore the temporal freight landscape of parcel deliveries in Belo Horizonte (Brazil) from 2019 to 2022 and discuss the implications of this evolution in the urban context. By analyzing the socioeconomic and mobility dimensions of the freight landscape, we identified that parcel deliveries per capita are spatially distributed and increase over time, particularly in areas with significant commercial activity and residential areas. Additionally, there is spatial autocorrelation between parcel deliveries per capita, nonresidential real estate transactions, density, diversity of commercial establishments and access to opportunities by walking and public transport. Additionally, we identified the spatial inequality in parcel deliveries over time. Based on the results, we discuss the policy implications of the parcel delivery landscape and its influence on transportation planning. The parcel delivery landscape is valuable for identifying criteria and priority locations to overcome access barriers for e-commerce goods.

Suggested Citation

  • Oliveira, Leise Kelli & Sousa, Luísa Tavares Muzzi & Santos Junior, Jorge Luiz & Bracarense, Lilian dos Santos Fontes Pereira, 2025. "Spatial fragment parcel deliveries landscape in a global south city: The case of Belo Horizonte, Brazil," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transa:v:199:y:2025:i:c:s0965856425001995
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2025.104571
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    References listed on IDEAS

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