Autor: Dominik Thiel

Courier, express and parcel service providers (CEP service providers) have a crucial importance for the economy by handling flows of goods between businesses and private households. Challenges such as the increasing online sales, tighter delivery time requirements and growing competition along with the higher importance of environmental issues and political regulation result in an increased pressure to innovate in the CEP industry. Especially in urban areas various fields of innovation can be identified which can contribute to a more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly supply of companies and households in the city.

Global megatrends such as the increasing urbanization of living environments and economic areas, the climate change and the increased meaning of work-life-balance require new production and logistics concepts. An opportunity to cope with the linked challenges offers the concept of urban value creation. This kind of value creation reveals chances for the participating stakeholders when ecologically, economically and socially acceptable designed. This article addresses the challenges and potentials linked with urban value creation and shows production-related and logistical approaches to design a sustainable, city-compatible urban value creation.