This paper presents an analysis of the pair formed by the association between a city and rail transport. It will examine the potential for the development of rail networks, the potential for urban development and the interactions between the two. In order to analyze the pair formed by rail transport and urban development, the types of coordination have been analyzed, with regards to sector of intervention and spatial, temporal, organizational and methodological aspects. Based on these general principles, the Bahn.Ville project has investigated experience of rail-oriented urban development in both Germany and France. It now remains to implement the lessons learnt from this project in the field, which is to be done on the Saint-Étienne-Firminy line, where the potential for rail-based development and renewal is considerable.