Analysis of characteristics of the cities on the warehouse location: the case of Belo Horizonte metropolitan region

The warehouse location is a critical factor in the efficiency of urban freight transport. However, several factors influence this location. This paper analyses the spatial correlation of characteristics of cities in a metropolitan region and the location of the warehouses through a case study in the Belo Horizonte metropolitan region. The municipalities' socioeconomic and fleet data were analysed using the Local Moran Index and Bivariate Moran Index statistics. The results were presented by clusters using the Local Indicator of Spatial Association. Populational density, land cost, and truck fleet are spatially correlated with the warehouses' location. Furthermore, the characteristics of some municipalities, as Contagem, Ribeirão das Neves, and Ibirité, create high-high clusters, with high spatial correlation in the municipalities of cluster and, also, in the surroundings. Findings suggest the importance of land use, logistics, and real estate sector public policies minimise warehouses' externalities and contribute to economic development.