Urban mobility implications of last-mile delivery – a systematic literature review

Abstract

Urban delivery has undergone significant transformation in the past years. Analysing last-mile delivery under the umbrella of urban mobility requires considering a variety of stakeholders with different and sometimes conflicting perspectives and interests. This article analyses the effects of delivery services on urban mobility based on a systematic literature review (PRISMA) of Scopus and Web of Science databases (2010 – 2024) yielding 235 documents. The findings aim to guide future urban planning strategies that accommodate rapid change and promote liveable cities for their residents. The review assesses future last-mile delivery solutions in light of expected urban mobility scenarios, highlighting emerging market possibilities and operational approaches. The paper clarifies key themes, identifies research trends and gaps, synthesizes existing knowledge, and proposes future research directions. While existing research acknowledges the negative impact of last-mile delivery on urban mobility, it often focuses narrowly on either new technologies and operational costs or environmental issues, neglecting a holistic approach to sustainable urban mobility planning. Despite the topic’s importance, this area remains under-researched, presenting significant opportunities for further academic investigation into improving urban mobility to accommodate this growing trend.