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Sustainability and New Technologies: Last-Mile Delivery in the Context of Smart Cities

Author

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  • Karaoulanis Andreas

    (Kauno Kolegija Higher Education Institution, Pramones av. 20, LT-50468 Kaunas, Lithuania)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to conduct a literature review on urban last-mile logistics in the context of smart cities to help with defining the industry in new ways which involve space-wise innovations and the use of new technologies such as robotics, drones, IoT etc., toward a sustainable future. This literature review follows the SALSA approach and the CASP checklist, as well as several inclusion criteria for article collection. The results highlight the positive role of the industry 4.0 technologies and the role of smart cities in alleviating the last-mile logistics problem, while pinpointing that new initiatives such as dark stores and micro-fulfilment centers can also be a positive determinant of a more sustainable urban life. This is an original literature review which combines many important elements that come together in the context of smart cities and try to give some new perspectives to their last-mile logistics from viewpoints that have never been used before in similar research works. In addition, it can be used as a yardstick for future researchers who might try to dig dipper into the context of last-mile logistics, especially in smart cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Karaoulanis Andreas, 2024. "Sustainability and New Technologies: Last-Mile Delivery in the Context of Smart Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-24, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:18:p:8037-:d:1477937
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Heimfarth, Andreas & Ostermeier, Manuel & Hübner, Alexander, 2022. "A mixed truck and robot delivery approach for the daily supply of customers," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 303(1), pages 401-421.
    2. Caragliu, Andrea & Del Bo, Chiara F., 2019. "Smart innovative cities: The impact of Smart City policies on urban innovation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 373-383.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jurgita Pauzuolienė & Ieva Kavecke & Mariusz Pyra, 2024. "Smart Technologies Integration and Challenges in the Context of Logistics Companies," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(Special A), pages 999-1018.

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