PUBLIC GOVERNANCE OF SUSTAINABLE URBAN LOGISTICS IN THE CONTEXT OF URBANIZATION AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Abstract

Introduction. The relevance of the research is driven by rapid urbanization and the explosive growth of e-commerce, which are fundamentally transforming the transport and logistics systems of modern cities. Freight transport currently accounts for up to 30% of urban traffic and is the source of a quarter of all CO₂ emissions in the transport sector, making urban logistics an object of public policy rather than just a private business sphere. "Last-mile" logistics requires special attention, as inefficient delivery organization leads to congestion, environmental degradation, and increased community costs. Traditional administrative regulation methods are losing effectiveness, requiring a transition to digital data-driven management models.

Purpose. The aim is to substantiate the theoretical foundations and develop practical tools for the public governance of sustainable urban logistics in the context of digitalization, based on the principles of evidence-based policy and ensuring a balance between economic efficiency, environmental safety, and the quality of urban life.

Materials and methods. The study employs a comprehensive set of general scientific and specialized methods: systems analysis to examine city logistics as a complex object of public governance; comparative analysis to study the implementation experience of Sustainable Urban Logistics Plans (SULP) and the «15-minute city» concept in EU countries; the method of scientific abstraction to develop a «technological leapfrogging» model and substantiate the architecture of municipal API gateways as tools for digital regulation; and Evidence-Based Policy methodology to justify management decisions based on big data analysis and real-time monitoring of transport flows.

Results. It was determined that public governance of sustainable logistics should shift from rigid administration to networked interaction between the municipality, business, and digital platforms. The effectiveness of implementing Smart Loading Zones using IoT sensors and digital booking systems was proven. A «technological leapfrog» model is proposed for Ukraine, where the high-tech private delivery sector (Glovo, Bolt Food, etc.) already possesses more advanced routing tools than municipal authorities. The expediency of implementing municipal API gateways for dynamic regulation of infrastructure access has been substantiated.

Discussion. Further research will be aimed at developing algorithms for integrating private logistics operators' data into municipal digital platforms and assessing the impact of dynamic pricing for infrastructure access on the environmental indicators of residential areas. Particular attention will be paid to the regulatory and legal support for the legalization of spontaneous «green logistics» (micro-transport couriers) as a full-fledged element of the city's transport system.