....... Emilia Romagna The station and the city: the context The urban context generally appears as an area of physical and social decay, poor in functional terms and distinguished by an urban fabric with an indefinite identity; a marginal area of transit, unsafe and therefore unattractive to the rail travellers and the broader urban users. And yet the analysis of its characteristics confirms the idea that underlies the research: namely that it is an area with a great potential for enhancement, because of its position, accessibility, and its suitability for conversion of its urban fabric. The urban context Morphology Functions Accessibility Plans and projects under way Railway's areas and stations Passenger building