EU cities’ potentials for formulation and implementation of sustainable urban freight transport strategic plans

Abstract The increasing rate of freight transport in cities causes many problems in terms of sustainability, such as: noise, CO2 emissions, congestion (environmental), an increase in transport costs (economic) and the risk of accident (social), etc. (Russo, Comi, 2012). Local government, which is responsible for mobility and quality of life, plays an important role in solving problems. Therefore, urban freight transport should be included into a city strategic management. Unfortunately, research shows that there is still a big difference between EU cities in the formulation and implementation of strategic plans for sustainable urban freight transport. These differences may result from different levels of potentials of cities associated with both the possibilities of a given town, its economy, society, environment, as well as the possibilities of city administration - the experience and skills of employees of the office and its organizational units. The aim of the article is to use the analysis of Key Success Factors (KSF) to assess the potential of selected capitals of the European Union countries in the formulation and implementation of strategic plans in the area of sustainable urban freight transport. During the analysis, the gaps between the relevance of KSF and their assessment were presented. Based on the analysis, the strengths and weaknesses of selected cities were also identified. The tool presented in this article may support local governments during the strategic analysis necessary to develop strategic plans for sustainable urban freight transport. The paper is the result of the National Science Centre in Poland. DEC-2013/09 / B / HS4 / 01284.