A spatial relation perspective on the city–station link: Case study on Florence S.M.N and Madrid Atocha

Train stations as public spaces representing the city have become gathering points for the city and its inhabitants, acting almost as “gateways to the city” in addition to serving as intersections connecting different rail networks. High-speed rail stations have become multi-storey buildings with different functions; they have become social centers of the city, catering to different needs beyond transportation, with stores, restaurants, hotels and offices where people can spend their time outside of transportation. The Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station in Florence and the Atocha train station in Madrid are two representative train stations in Europe that play an important role in their respective cities. Using Santa Maria Novella Train Station in Florence, Italy, and Madrid Atocha Train Station in Madrid, Spain, as case studies, this study explores the multifaceted relationship between cities and train stations, how these central train stations have become landmarks and key nodes in their respective cities, and how train stations can be analyzed in terms of their architectural, social, cultural, aesthetic, and landscape dimensions, which can shed light on the future development of transportation hubs and cities, provide insights into the future development of transportation hubs and cities, and serve as a reference for urban planning and the construction of transportation facilities.