The smaller, the better? Nano-hubs for cycle logistics as an urban-friendly alternative to micro-hubs Kania Malte Rolf Benjamin Assmann Tom Zadek Hartmut Especially for last-mile delivery in dense urban areas, cargo-bikes have become a sustainable alternative to overcome motorized delivery vehicles' traffic and environmental disadvantages. However, as their capacity and range are lower compared to conventional delivery vehicles, there is a need for additional cargo-bike transshipment hubs near the respective delivery areas. While some parcel service providers show that they are successfully testing different concepts such as micro-hubs, several barriers prevent the implementation beyond pilot status. Hence, our work aimed to overcome these barriers by introducing nano-hubs as an urban-friendly alternative to micro-hubs. In particular, we proposed a modular design concept that enables the customization of transshipment hubs considering urban planning restrictions and logistical processes. Further, we aimed to prove that the nano-hub approach also has economic advantages compared to previous cycle logistics processes. For this, we first developed nano-hub-modules on a conceptual level following the methodological approach for product development according to VDI 2221. We then implemented a simulation model to compare different (cycle) logistics processes with regard to their sustainability and operational effort. The findings of our work are twofold. First, based on the proposed modular system design, we offer suggestions for further development and elaboration of infrastructure elements for cycle logistics. Second, by applying our approach as a case study to the city of Magdeburg, Germany, we could show that existing cycle logistics processes have ecological and economic advantages over motorized delivery traffic. In addition, we proved that these benefits could be further increased by implementing the nano-hub concept. Lastenräder Mikro-Depots Nano-Depots cargo-bikes micro-hubs nano-hubs 620 periodical academic journal Logistics Journal : Proceedings 2022 18 2022 2192-9084 urn:nbn:de:0009-14-55891 10.2195/lj_proc_kania_en_202211_01 http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0009-14-55891 kania2022