Acronym: URBANE

Project Title: UPSCALING INNOVATIVE GREEN URBAN LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS THROUGH MULTI-ACTOR

COLLABORATION AND PI-INSPIRED LAST MILE DELIVERIES

Duration: 42 months (01/09/2022 – 08/02/2026)

Description & Objectives: The e-commerce sector's growth poses significant logistical challenges, which Europe must address by identifying and implementing more sustainable last-mile transportation solutions. URBANE, an initiative that runs from September 2022 to February 2026, aims to combat negative trends associated with last-mile deliveries by promoting effective, resilient, safe, and sustainable transport. URBANE aligns with the European Green Deal, the Paris Agreement, and the Green City Accord, and its objectives contribute to the European Commission's goals for zero-emission last-mile deliveries.

URBANE consists of four Lighthouse Living Labs (LLs) in Bologna (IT), Helsinki (FI), Valladolid (ES), and the region of Central Macedonia (GR) that will highlight efficient, replicable, and socially acceptable innovative last-mile delivery solutions. These Wave 1 solutions build upon existing assets, and lessons learned will be facilitated by an Innovation Transferability Platform using Digital Twinning Tools, open models, smart contracts governed by blockchain technology, and a data-driven Impact Assessment Radar.

Two Twinning LLs (Wave 2 LLs) in Barcelona (ES) and Karlsruhe (DE) will demonstrate their solutions, further strengthening URBANE's commitment to upscaling. Six early adopters (Follower Cities - POLIS members Aarhus (DK), La Rochelle (FR), Mechelen (BE), Prague (CZ), and Ravenna (IT), as well as Antwerp (NL)) will participate in feasibility studies of the adoption of innovations, thus stimulating the formulation of new Living Lab communities across Europe. The consortium includes 39 partners and an external partner from 12 different EU Member States, a leading digital innovation provider responsible for the twinning infrastructure and open models library of the project.

HIT key role and responsibilities: HIT/CERTH has three main functions in the URBANE project. Firstly, we are responsible for developing a Data-Driven Planning & Monitoring Toolbox, which will help identify effective and sustainable solutions for last-mile deliveries. Secondly, we lead WP4, which involves setting up Wave 2 Living Labs and assessing the potential for URBANE solutions to scale up low-emission last-mile delivery models. Lastly, HIT/CERTH is the technical coordinator of the Thessaloniki Living Lab, overseeing the technical aspects of this Living Lab.