Duurzame Logistieke Terreinen

Logistics is a growth sector for our region, very conveniently located to the European hinterland. The growth of logistics volumes translates into an increasing demand for infrastructure, land and buildings. This creates an area of tension with other, social policy ambitions such as the Flemish ‘Bouwshift’ and the ‘Blue Deal’ and European climate and nature objectives.
This field of tension causes an increasing business economic impact for the companies involved. Rising land and raw material prices combined with stricter building regulations and environmental requirements are forcing logistics to revise its vision of the logistics field. By using this space more consciously, building and furnishing more sustainably and sharing certain functions of the site, the social impact can be limited.

INTEGRAL SUSTAINABILITY VISION

The project will develop a long-term integral sustainability vision, as well as practical advice, a step-by-step plan and cooperation and business models that companies, individually or collectively, can use to realize the vision, in their own economic and all of our social interests. The project addresses the daily use and small investments by companies, but also on the (re)development and renovation of real estate and sites by developers and site managers.

OPPORTUNITIES

• The interdisciplinary approach of the project provides participants with a broad view of the various sustainability issues that converge in the logistics field and provides them with knowledge and insights to make informed short- and long-term decisions
• The project will propose solutions for the various sustainability challenges on a technological level, but also through collaboration between companies and demonstrate how such collaboration is best organized in the field

Specific activities

• Mapping best practices and sharing technical and academic knowledge within the fields of design and spatial planning, space utilization, water management, circular development and biodiversity
• Consolidation of gained insights and the translation into effective application to logistics sites and buildings
• Elaboration of suitable business models and management structures to encourage cooperation on sustainability in logistics sites
• Development of pilot projects in cooperation with the participating parties
• Preparation of a vision with transition paths to achieve long-term sustainable logistics sites in Flanders and a roadmap with advice for the companies involved