The Classification of Urban Logistics Infrastructure: Evidence from the Yangtze River Delta Region in China

Urban Logistics Infrastructure (ULI) is an important area of urban competition capability. The connotation of Logistics Infrastructure Capability (LIC) is analyzed in this paper. Compared with the extensive research on ULI in developed world, empirical work is still rare in developing world. In this paper the theory of ULI is firstly overviewed. Then a new evaluation index system for ULI evaluation is set up which contains factors that reflect the economic development level, transportation accessibility, turnover volume of freight traffic and conveyance availability. Secondly, an empirical study is carried out by using hierarchy cluster analysis method to classify ULI into 3 clusters for 25 major cities in the Yangtze River Delta Region in China. Thirdly, according to the characteristics of the 3 clusters, suggestions are proposed for improving their ULI. Fourthly, after comparing different ULI of 25 major cities in the Yangtze River Delta Region in China, this paper focuses on that different logistics infrastructure including Hub, Central Distribution Center & Cross Docking Center, Regional Distribution Center or Distribution Center should be build reasonably in order to meet the customer's requirement in the 3 different cluster regions. Finally, we draw some good conclusions for improving their LIC and make suggestions for future study.