Station to station: Arriving at a crucial space in urban geography

Railway stations have long been a fixture in urban landscapes, but they are more than just transport infrastructure. Here, I make the case for a critical geographical exploration of these seemingly mundane yet multifaceted and exciting spaces. Combining historical accounts, literary representations and perspectives from urban research, I will explore how stations act as borders, fostering a sense of mobility and connection. Yet, these same spaces can also be sites of struggle and conflict, reflecting social hierarchies and urban inequalities – for example, when studied through a postcolonial lens, or when exploring issues related to homelessness. Using different interdisciplinary perspectives on stations, this article is a resource for those interested in critical perspectives on urban spaces and transit locations. It highlights the importance of ordinary spaces ‘under our noses’, with the intention of widening participation and interest in urban and cultural geography generally.