CIVITAS Study Visit in Funchal - Collaboration for sustainable urban logistics
Image by Eurocities
The third study visit of the CIVITAS Replication and Deployment Programme took place in Funchal, Portugal, from 19-21 November 2021. The visit gathered city representatives from Baerum (Norway), Hamburg (Germany), and Bruges (Belgium), alongside experts from Parkunload and Chalmers University of Technology. Together, they addressed a pressing challenge faced by Funchal: optimising urban logistics in a city with unique geographical and logistical constraints.
Understanding Funchal's Context
The visit began with an engaging morning session focused on Funchal's distinctive topography and its policy landscape. Bruno Pereira, Deputy Mayor of Funchal, warmly welcomed participants and outlined the city’s mobility strategy, with its Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP).
Funchal’s rugged landscape, coupled with its growing appeal as a destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers, creates significant challenges for implementing sustainable mobility and logistics solutions. Despite these hurdles, the municipality remains committed to adopting innovative strategies to balance the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors.
Immersion in the Challenge Site
Participants explored Funchal’s central market area, a bustling neighborhood filled with vibrant shops, restaurants, and markets frequented by both locals and tourists. The group observed the neighborhood’s mobility challenges firsthand:
Traffic Congestion: High levels of vehicle traffic and full parking lots lead to operational inefficiencies.
Misuse of Loading Bays: Many loading zones are occupied by private vehicles, disrupting delivery operations.
Safety Concerns: Double parking and blocked roads cause delays, honking, and safety risks for pedestrians and drivers alike.
Learning from Local Logistics Operators
A visit to the logistics hub of LogisLink, responsible for handling 40% of Madeira's inbound goods, provided valuable insights into the logistics landscape. Discussions highlighted challenges such as:
A shortage of last-mile delivery drivers.
Resistance from shop owners to accept deliveries outside peak business hours, even when traffic is lighter.
These perspectives enriched the group's understanding of the logistical ecosystem in Funchal.
Co-Creating Solutions
The second half of the study visit focused on brainstorming actionable solutions to address the mobility and logistics issues around the central market. Through collaborative workshops, the participants developed a series of proposals to support Funchal's goals:
- Stakeholder Involvement: Engage market shop owners, customers, logistics operators, residents, and nearby schools in co-designing the area’s redevelopment.
- Ambassador Programme: Leverage testimonials from "ambassadors" who have successfully implemented street transformations in similar urban contexts.
- Scenario Planning: Explore multiple scenarios which go beyond technical solutions like loading bay booking applications, including instead partial pedestrianisation and exclusive logistics access for loading and unloading activities.
Outcomes and Reflections
After two days of dynamic exchanges, the study visit concluded with a shared sense of purpose and concrete ideas to tackle Funchal's urban logistics challenges. The collective effort showcased how collaboration between cities and experts can pave the way for sustainable, efficient, and inclusive urban mobility solutions.
Funchal's team’s dedication to innovation and openness to be challenged, despite its unique local context, serves as an inspiring model for other cities striving to create liveable and accessible urban spaces.
Discover photos from the event here!
Author: Anne-Charlotte Trapp
