Logistics Sprawl: Spatial Patterns and Characteristics of New Warehousing Establishments in The Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area

Gagandeep Singh, MASc thesis, Civil Engineering, 2018
Professor Matthew J. Roorda and Eric J. Miller, Co-supervisors

Summary

Logistics sprawl, the relocation of logistics facilities from urban to suburban areas, is taking place in metropolitan areas worldwide. As a result, warehouses tend to be locating further from wholesale or retail establishments, especially in downtown areas. This leads to increased time on the road for delivery vehicles, as well as increased traffic congestion and vehicle emissions.

In the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), a 38% increase in the number of warehousing establishments has been observed from 2003 to 2013 (Statistics Canada, 2013). This research analyzes the spatial patterns and characteristics of new warehousing establishments in the GTHA in that time period. Some of the questions addressed are:

  • Where are new warehousing establishments located?
  • How large are new establishments considering building footprint and property size?
  • What are the spatial relationships between distribution centers and other retail establishments within the same firm?

 

GTHA map showing areas of new warehousing 2003-2013
Figure 1 2003-2013 New NAICS 493 (North American Industry Classification System: Warehousing and Storage) Establishments in the GTHA

Figure 1 shows the location of new warehouses in the GTHA over the period 2003-2013 clustering near Toronto Pearson International Airport and the CN and CP intermodal terminals.

These warehouses feature large building footprints and property parcel sizes. It appears that firms make a trade-off between transportation costs and land prices when locating their distribution centres.

Access via Tspace / U of T Libraries: Abstract and full thesis “Logistics Sprawl: Spatial Patterns and Characteristics of New Warehousing Establishments in The Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.”

Supervisor contact information

Professor Matthew J. Roorda
Tel: 416-978-5976
matt.roorda@utoronto.ca

Professor Eric J. Miller
Tel: 416-978-4076
miller@ecf.utoronto.ca