Work

Exploring the Complex Spatial Characteristics of Large Railway Stations: A Multidimensional Assessment of Spatial Compactness

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Railway stations are key nodes connecting urban space with regional transport networks. In the context of compact city development and station–city integration, developing railway stations as compact, three-dimensional composite spaces is an important means of improving land-use efficiency and coordinating transport and urban functions. To quantitatively evaluate the compactness of three-dimensional composite space and the level of station–city coordination, this study develops an evaluation framework comprising 26 indicators across three dimensions: functional configuration, spatial organization, and efficiency and accessibility. Following indicator selection and data standardization, the entropy weight method is used to derive objective weights, which are incorporated into a TOPSIS model. Eighteen representative railway stations are evaluated and ranked using the model, while their development levels are classified using the rank-sum ratio (RSR) method. The results show that Kyoto Station, Osaka Station, Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station, and Berlin Central Station exhibit relatively high spatial compactness in their three-dimensional composite spaces, whereas Milan Central Station and London King’s Cross Station show comparatively weaker levels. The five clusters identified through K-means clustering were interpreted in light of the evaluation results and spatial characteristics, and subsequently consolidated into four spatial development types: High-Compactness Urban Comprehensive Type, High-Compactness Underground Station Type, Moderate-Compactness Transport-Dominant Type, Low-Compactness Regionally Oriented Type. The study identifies key spatial factors influencing the three-dimensional integrated development of railway stations. The findings provide a quantitative basis for the intensive space use, station–city coordination strategies, and architectural design optimization.

Source: Land

DOI: 10.3390/land15112048