A new high-speed rail network, Starline, proposed by design think tank 21st Europe, has set out a vision of connecting all of Europe into one giant city. 21st Europe is a new Copenhagen-based think tank founded in 2025 by Kaave Pour, who previously led IKEA’s global innovation lab SPACE10.
The trains will run at speeds of 300-400 kilometers per hour, enough to travel from Helsinki to Berlin in just over three hours, and from Milan to Munich in a few hours. The goal is to break down borders between countries and expand freedom of movement while utilizing existing and planned infrastructure.
The Starline is designed to be more than just a means of rapid transportation; it is designed to be a transportation network that symbolizes the political and economic integration of Europe. Each country has at least one station, and the main line crosses the continent from Paris to Istanbul, Lisbon to Kiev. It is even planned to extend to the UK, Turkey, and Ukraine. In addition to passengers, the cargo compartment is designed separately to transport urgent logistics such as medical supplies and fresh food.
Instead of repairing the old existing station, the plan is to build a new station on the outskirts of the city and have architects from each country design it to make it a new cultural landmark. A complex cultural space including public facilities such as an exhibition hall, performance hall, and museum will be created inside the station, so it is expected to become a regional cultural center rather than a simple transportation base.
Painted in the deep blue that symbolizes the European Union flag, the vehicle has a futuristic feel without being industrial, and the interior is designed to accommodate a variety of passenger types, including quiet work spaces, open spaces for conversation, and spaces for families. There will also be a café area for charging and eating.
Using AI and sensors to analyze passenger flow in real time, and biometric technology to automate security screening procedures to minimize immigration time and inconvenience. Power is supplied by renewable energy such as solar and wind power, and a smart energy system is built throughout the station to efficiently manage energy storage and use.
“Starline is a blueprint for a new European infrastructure that combines design, technology and culture,” explains Kaabé Poor, founder of 21st Europe. “Today, Europe must invest in connectivity and integration for future generations, not just in defense,” he says.
Although Starline is still in the conceptual design stage, it is considered a realistic vision as it is based on the pan-European transport network (TEN-T) being promoted by the European Union.
