This report presents the process of defining a future vision and concept for NS train stations in 2030. This graduation project, in partnership with NS, seeks to explore the future context of NS train stations, taking into account various factors, including societal themes. The ViP method (Hekkert and Van Dijk, 2011) guided the process of exploring the future of NS train stations and shaping a vision on it.

The basis of this exploration phase where 133 context factors: stable and changing building blocks of the future context. They formed a set of clusters, from which a framework was created. This framework has resulted in 12 vision statements, all design challenges for the NS train stations in 2030.

From these 12 vision statements, strategic decision-making in collaboration with NS has led to the following design direction: To let travellers at the station relate to each other more as part of a community, than as separate, individual travellers. This design direction answers to the foreseen rising difficulties people will encounter when interacting with digital assets in the station environment. A simultaneous trend of rising individualism and flattened social connections, will lead to (increasing) social barriers in the station environment. These social barriers will hinder interactions between travellers and, more specifically, hinder travellers finding each other for asking and offering support. Connecting
travellers by enhancing the community spirit on train stations, aims to counter rising individualism and the social barriers that rise with it.
A focus on unmanned train stations is decided upon, since the design direction is projected to be most needed here as people are more dependent on each other.

Ideation has led to 4 ideas, all based on the following social concept derived from a food cabin analogy: connecting people while maintaining (the possibility of) anonymity. An evaluation of the ideas by testing, has led to the focus on
one of the ideas: Beleef de streek (Experience the region). This idea facilitates people to share their best tips for the environment surrounding the station and others to use these tips to discover this area.

The chosen idea is developed into a concept called Ontdek ‘n plek (Discover a place). The concept is supported by a definition and theory of sense of community (McMillan and Chavis, 1986), as it addresses the four elements outlined in this definition.
Decisions regarding the concept’s implementation, design, and materials are made to align with the following qualities: low-threshold, inviting, and valuable. The concept is envisioned to be placed in the glass waiting areas on unmanned train station platforms.

A hypothesis is set for the enhancement of the different elements of sense of community. The accuracy of the hypothesis is verified through a 0 and 1 measurement at the train station located in Hoorn. The addition of the concept to the station has shown a positive impact on travellers’ experiences and their sense of community. Questions about its value persist, but the potential of a social initiative for enhancing a sense of community is evident and remains vital for NS train stations in 2030.