An evaluation of spatial user experience in transportation interiors: Berlin-Südkreuz Station and Wrocław Central Station

Abstract

This study examines user experience (UX) in transportation interiors by conducting a comparative analysis of Berlin Südkreuz Station and Wrocław Central Bus Station. Stations and bus terminals, as key public transportation nodes, have increasingly evolved beyond their infrastructural role into cultural and social spaces where diverse users interact. This study aims to investigate how interior design components influence user perceptions, comfort, and satisfaction. A phenomenological approach is employed, utilizing user data obtained from open-source Google Maps reviews. User comments were transcribed, coded, and analyzed through content analysis to identify recurring themes, including accessibility and wayfinding, spatial comfort and hygiene, aesthetic value, security, additional functions, and impact on urban identity. The study findings highlight themes that stand out as critical factors determining user experience in transportation spaces. The additional amenities and integration of cultural features offered by these spaces contribute to the stations’ roles as mediators of urban identity and collective memory. By framing transportation hubs as user-centered public interior spaces, the study emphasizes the importance of holistic and inclusive design strategies. The results are expected to contribute to the literature by suggesting spatial user experience (SUE) themes that can guide future transportation-functional space design.