What are the expectations of the modern citizen as regards rail stations? The diversity of functions and a better integration into the urban landscape. Railway stations have to be a pleasant environment for those who work here, a true shopping and retail location, an active environment 24h a day and a rapid and convenient transit and transfer point between transport modes. An important urban pole can be built in the area located around the rail station, but it is necessary that those responsible for urban policies to adopt an integrated approach for the sustainable and coherent development of the rail station.
The rapid development of the different transit systems has led to the modernisation of railway stations along the crossed route. They have to be as aesthetically built or modernised as possible and to dispose of enough capacity to provide shelter for users. Passengers in transit need special places where they should wait for the next train. Railway stations, integrated to other open and attractive public spaces, and eco-friendly pedestrian ways will attract users and will maintain passenger traffic.
The public transport system has become more and more important as mobility mode for people living in cities, especially due to the recent increase in the oil price; more and more people are focusing their attention towards public transport to travel in the city, as an alternative mode extremely reliable when trying to avoid traffic congestion.
The rail stations supporting railway and road transport don’t play the role of simple bus stations, they don’t serve the passenger using the simple “touch and go” model, but they are neither a mere architectural space. Transport is not identified only with mobility, it has become a significant urban part in big cities, compared to other civil buildings; transit stations have the potential to reshape the environment built in a city, they provide opportunities for creating places which improve the quality of urban life. Most rail stations have a typical design which doesn’t consider the exterior environment, so that, experts say, it is necessary to rethink a more environmentally friendly design and planning.
One of the most representative projects for the integration of the railway station into the urban landscape is in Germany, in Stuttgart, where the architects have planned the mo-dernisation of the old railway station into an area of 100 ha dedicated to the establishment of green spaces, residential and work groups, the station being a crossing point for eight lines of the high-speed network. The eight lines will be located in the underground and will replace the existing 16 surface lines. The very ambitious EUR 4 Billion “Stuttgart 21” project is intended to become the new city centre being connected to the underground network and to the surface public transport. The number of passengers to cross the new intermodal hub every day is estimated at 250,000.
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