Multimodal Transport in the Context of Sustainable Development of a City

Abstract

Multimodal freight transport in cities is a complex, valid, and vitally important problem. It is more seldom underlined in scientific studies and included in cities’ strategies that devote more attention to passenger transport than freight transport. The increased utilization of multimodal transport matches current transport policy and at the same time, it is one of the most important challenges put before cities striving to achieve sustainable development. In this case, the paper embarks upon the problem of relations between multimodal transport development and the sustainable development of the cities. The objective of the paper is an analysis of the impact of the selected city of the Upper Silesian metropolis on the development of multimodal freight transport and an assessment of the impact of the development of multimodal transport on the sustainable development of the cities of the Upper Silesian metropolis. The authors developed three research questions in order to implement the adopted objective. The process of looking for the answer included four stages. Within the first and second stages, the literature studies and experts’ research allowed for identifying key factors of the multimodal transport development that a city may have an impact on. In the third stage, the research was two-fold and was based on a questionnaire and scenario analysis. Due to the individual character of each of the cities, scenarios were developed for Katowice, being the main economic center of Upper Silesian and Zagłębie Metropolis. As a result of the research, factors have been identified that must be included in a strategy of a city that strives for sustainable development. The last stage of the research focused on the initial concept of the multimodal transport development impact assessment on sustainable development of the cities. Conclusions developed at individual stages allowed for answering the research questions.

Sustainable development of transport infrastructure in the system of national economy

“…Implementing sustainable transport infrastructure in a national economy involves considering various conceptual and applicable approaches that focus on environmental, social, and economic aspects. Theoretical approaches to achieve sustainable transport infrastructure include integrated transportation planning (Ghafouri-Azar et al, 2023;Schwedes & Hoor, 2019); multimodal transport systems (Kramarz & Przybylska, 2021); green infrastructure development (Alghuson, 2023); smart technologies (Chakwizira, 2022); publicprivate partnerships (PPPs) for sustainable infrastructure (Ndlovu & Newman, 2022); behavioral change and demand management (Loyola et al, 2019); life cycle assessment (LCA) and environmental impact assessment (EIA) (Abu-Eisheh et al, 2020); social equity and accessibility (Batarlienė, 2020).…”

“…Multimodal transport systems such as public transit, cycling, walking, and shared mobility, helps reduce reliance on individual car use (Kramarz & Przybylska, 2021). Investments in public transit, cycling infrastructure, and pedestrian-friendly urban spaces are essential (Donaldson & Hornbeck, 2016).…”

Relações entre estratégias, serviços públicos e cidade digital estratégica: casos de Foz do Iguaçu e Pinhais, Paraná, Brasil

“…A estratégia de desenvolvimento da cidade abrange holisticamente várias esferas urbanas, como a restauração de áreas degradadas em centros urbanos, aumento da inovação e eficiência da gestão, fortalecimento da atratividade e competitividade, preservação e proteção dos valores naturais, gestão racional dos recursos, aumento da identidade e da coesão social, de modo a melhorar a qualidade de vida e a competitividade da cidade como resultado de sua implementação (FORYS, 2019;GOLDBERG-MILLER, 2019;KRAMARZ;PRZYBYLSKA, 2021).…”

Estratégias e serviços públicos municipais no contexto da cidade digital estratégica

“…A definição de diretrizes e políticas públicas se valem das estratégias para auxiliar no desenvolvimento da cidade (Forys, 2019). Além disso, as estratégias abarcam a missão, visão e objetivos, de longo prazo, do poder público (Kramarz & Przybylska, 2021).…”