Volumes and proportions of road freight have been continuously growing over the past decade. Urban areas, which are the largest areas of human habitation, face a range of challenges such as increasing congestion and greater carbon emissions due to these factors. Therefore, the need to develop urban logistics solutions is among the most pressing issues in urban goods transport research and practice. Digitalization and sustainability are two aspects followed to overcome urban challenges in the field of freight transportation and logistics.

Based on this discussion, Swedish and Brazilian partners have carried out the project: ‘Smart City Concepts in Curitiba - low-carbon transport and mobility in a digital society’. This thesis compares the city logistics initiatives connected to digitalization and sustainability in Stockholm, Sweden, and Curitiba, Brazil, from an international comparison perspective. To achieve this, qualitative research methods were employed to gather insights from various stakeholders including logistics managers, employees, business owners, and government representatives. Data collection involved in-depth interviews with selected companies categorized into shippers, carriers, and generator hubs. These interviews provided valuable information on participants' decision-making processes, challenges faced, and potential opportunities for improvement in urban logistics.

The evaluation of logistics initiatives utilized several indicators: energy use, CO2/NOx/particle emissions, number of trips, kilometers traveled, number of small trips, vehicle load factor, queue times, and noise emissions. Data was collected via the Center’s computer systems and through on-site counts and interviews with contractors, drivers, and suppliers.

The results indicated significant improvements in urban logistics efficiency, with a notable reduction in the number of trips and increased vehicle consolidation. Additionally, there were substantial reductions in noise pollution, emissions, and energy use, highlighting the effectiveness of the implemented initiatives in enhancing sustainability and overall logistics performance.

Ultimately, this thesis presents a comprehensive analysis of urban logistics challenges and solutions in Stockholm and Curitiba, offering a set of recommendations for public authorities and practitioners aimed at deploying effective urban logistics solutions that prioritize sustainability and digitalization..