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Abstract: Previous research on high-speed rail (HSR) and urban development has underlined the need for a multilevel analysis and has differentiated between HSR’s impact on small cities and on big intermediate cities. This paper focuses on big intermediate cities along HSR lines, develops a multilevel analysis at national, regional and local levels and examines HSR’s selective capacity to transform time distances and accessibility. The paper draws together data which make clear how HSR opens up new opportunities for these big intermediate cities. Specifically, it analyses three particular cases: Córdoba and Zaragoza in Spain and Lille in France. This case-study approach, taking account of specific circumstances and contexts, facilitates the understanding of the similarities and differences in HSR’s impact on urban and territorial development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]