DISCO project kicks off for a new generation of urban logistics
Yes, we have been keeping busy! Last week, we kicked off yet another brand new EU project, focusing on upscaling a new generation of urban logistics. Its name? DISCO! Find out more about this uniquely named project below.
DISCO kicks off! Last week, on 16 and 17 May 2023, partners from this new Horizon Europe project gathered together to meet in person and develop a common vision and understanding of targets and goals.
The unique DISCO name stands for ‘Data-driven, Integrated, Syncromodal, Collaborative and Optimised urban freight meta-model for a new generation of urban logistics and planning with data sharing at European Living Labs’. In short: it aims to support cities in undertaking the digital transformation of urban logistics and sustainable planning and to optimally and strategically manage urban space, in order to accelerate the achievement of EU mission cities goals by 2030.
"The DISCO ambition is to accompany the Physical Internet-led digital transition process in urban logistics planning. This transition can be compared to discography industry evolution: from vinyl to streaming, with music supplied as commodity and mass adoption by digital devices." - Paola Cossu, DISCO Project Coordinator, FIT Consulting.
Over the course of 42 months, the consortium consisting of a whooping 47 partners will facilitate voluntary data sharing among stakeholders and introduce urban freight data space ecosystems that are efficient and trustworthy.
DISCO Living Labs discuss twinning activities at the kick-off meeting.
How? DISCO will drive EU Cities towards Physical Internet by demonstrating 23 flagship solutions on optimal and flexible use of urban space for logistics in 8 European Living Labs, including:
- Copenhagen (DK)
- Ghent (BE)
- Thessaloniki (EL)
- Helsinki (FI)
- Padua (IT),
- and a Spanish Cluster consisting of Barcelona, Valencia, and Zaragoza (ES).
But that is not all! 4 Follower Cities also join the projects, and they are:
The two-day kick-off meeting provided many fruitful insights to the consortium as they make their first steps towards a new era of innovative yet sustainable urban freight. Through group discussions, talk shows, workshops, and much more, partners got to know one another and explored the way ahead for the work in the Living Labs.
The meeting also saw the intervention of several European representatives on the project, such as Yannick Bousse, DISCO Project Officer, European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), or Paola Chiarini, Policy Officer, European Commission - DG Mobility and Transport.
“Given the wide-ranging expertise of the consortium, the direct involvement of 12 cities and the focus on uptake of the results, DISCO has a real potential to deliver innovative solutions and make urban logistics more efficient and sustainable." - Paola Chiarini, Policy Officer, DG MOVE.
Yannick Bousse, DISCO Project Officer, delivers his speech on project expectations.
The event was only joined by Prof. Rod Franklin from Kuehne Logistics University, who opened the second day of the meeting with a speech on Physical Internet.
"Cities are complex social entities that operate through the integration of many networks. The complexity of interaction between these networks makes it very difficult for cities to deliver sustainable environments for their citizens. By enabling dynamic management of city infrastructures, the DISCO project is taking a positive step in assisting cities in addressing one aspect of their quest to provide citizens with the services they want; providing sustainable logistics that serve the demands of residents and businesses." - Prof. Rod Franklin, Professor and Academic Director at Kuehne Logistics University.
After such an exciting meeting, we cannot wait to get down to business and work hard at delivering on all project objectives. Stay tuned - much more to come soon!
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