SURF
Sustainable URban Freight
2021
In December 2020, POLIS, together with the Transport Decarbonisation Alliance and C40, created a document on the importance of putting freight first when developing a zero-emission zone. The How-to Guide Zero-Emissions Zones Don’t Wait to Start with Freight! provides information for cities on why this is such an important issue. With several cities across Europe committing to establish a zero-emission zone by 2030, it is critical to start planning as soon as possible. Environmental Defense Fund Europe provided funding to take the learnings from the How-to Guide and put it into practice. This resulted in the SURF project.
SURF was composed of two parts:
1. Instant Projects: three pilots in different cities with support from experts
Aarhus, Denmark - logistics plan as part of train station redevelopment plan
Karditsa, Greece - Shared cargo bike system
Ravenna, Italy - Freight Quality Partnership stakeholder engagement plan
2. E-course: 12 modules that review why freight is a critical part of transportation planning and how cities can develop, implement and enforce zero-emission zones. Taught by experts in the industry.
Project Management: Managed the application process and expert outreach and selection committee. Supervised the three Instant Projects and coordinated administrative work with three cities. Supported the development of the e-course.
Stakeholder Engagement: Managed the Advisory Committee made up of experts including researchers and non-profit staff
For more information visit the project’s main page: SURF
Updates can be found in the latest version of POLIS’s Thinking Cities Magazine