Abstract
As California is in the process of building its high-speed rail (HSR) network, reviewing the experience from other established HSR networks abroad can help understand the potential economic and development impacts of HSR and the prerequisites to realize them. HSR systems involve large financial investments and infrastructure projects, which have the potential to deeply change the regions where they are deployed. However, little attention has focused on the potential of the California HSR (Figure 1) to impact economic activities and urban development. This study reviews relevant literature and analyzes case studies from HSR station-cities in France (Le Creusot, Vendôme, Le Mans, Reims), Spain (Galicia Corridor, Valladolid, Zaragoza), and Italy (Reggio Emilia) to provide insights into these topics.