Urban–Spatial Analysis of European Historical Railway Stations: Qualitative Assessment of Significant Cases

Abstract

This perspective analysis aims to show the most recent and relevant interventions in a representative sample of selected European railway stations, balancing different criteria by reviewing the most characteristic cases. We analyse its impact at the urban level, assessing whether there is urban regeneration and to what extent; its impact at a functional level, assessing the change in activity as well as the effect on the user, transfer, or dismantling of the railway activity; its impact at an architectural level, assessing whether the actions are global or merely at the level of facade. As a final reflection, we outline the issue of the possibility of reuse in historical railway stations associating it with heritage preservation. The proposed selection contemplates actions in small and large stations and locations; total, partial, and zero dismantling actions in the tracks or the station plot and, finally, new uses ranging from the mixed solution of railway activity and shopping centre to cultural or exclusively leisure solutions. The timeline covers approximately the last three decades (1985–2022).