In varietate concordia : a cooperative model to gently improve freight goods distribution in European cities : the case of Rome

Abstract

This work, entitled ‘In varietate concordia. A cooperative model to gently improve freight goods distribution in European cities. The case of Rome’, deals with urban freight transport, from two guiding principles: i) cooperation and ii) voluntary behaviour change. The thesis develops a new conceptual structure, called Choice Architecture Chain (CAC). CAC identifies multi-level governance cooperation mechanisms, to establish a dialogue and undertake joint actions, both vertically (with different levels of governance, from the EU to local communities) and horizontally (peer-to-peer, at all levels). To reach such an ambitious degree of cooperation, the active involvement and engagement of policy makers, planners and citizens is needed. The voluntary element of behaviour change towards more sustainable, innovative and fair practices for the distribution of goods in urban areas is based on the hypothesis that, when wisely guided by well-conceived policies, actors can make conscious and smart choices. The action of the public authority, considering the multi-level governance structure of the urban mobility sector, is analysed in the framework of the choice architecture concept, derived from the libertarian paternalism: assuming that the PA cannot avoid influencing individual choices, since it has to intervene in the regulation of various spheres of public life, this approach identifies the PA as the choice architect, aiming to create a favourable decision-making context. The application of this approach in the field of public policy results in soft policy measures (SPMs), different but complementary to hard policy measures (HPMs), acting in the wider transport demand management (TDM) and introducing incentives or increasing awareness to guide the behaviour of business and citizens, without enforcement actions. The research project deepens the knowledge of SPMs and their application to specific cases, and develops a conceptual general framework for their categorisation, to evaluate the interaction of soft and hard measures, and their potential influence on the UFT in terms reduction in congestion (number of circulating vehicles) and pollution (emissions), while maintaining a high level of efficiency of delivery services. On the basis of the results on the effectiveness of SPMs, recommendations are proposed for the development of a strategy to involve PAs and local stakeholders and promote replication of (successful and adaptable) SPMs in their local context. An assessment of the most suitable UFT SPMs for Rome is performed, and a strategy for Rome, Improving UFT via SPMs - supporting the new SUMP, is proposed.