Urban growth and freight transport: From sprawl to distension

This paper aims at discussing the effects of the urban growth on freight mobility through the analysis of urban activities localisation. Thanks to the results of this work, we lay the basics of an original concept that synthetizes logistics sprawl and other localisation dynamics taking into principal consideration the mobility of freight in general: the logistics distension. Through the spatial analysis of activities and population localisation between 1982 and 2012 in Lyon's urban area, we show the evolution of the socio-economic morphology and evolution of the freight landscape. Through freight movements modelling, we show the evolution of freight mobility in the conurbation of Lyon with regard to the modifications of the urban fabric.

Automated summary

This paper discusses the effects of urban growth on freight mobility by analyzing the localization of urban activities in Lyon from 1982 to 2012, laying the foundation for a new concept called logistics distension. The evolution of socio-economic morphology and freight landscape is demonstrated, along with changes in freight mobility in Lyon's conurbation due to modifications in urban fabric.