The Central Business District A Basic Outline

Slide 1: The Central Business District (CBD)

Slide 2: In pairs…. What do you think are the main functions of the CBD?

Slide 3: Main functions of the CBD Shops: 1. CBD at top of shopping hierarchy in a  city. Has widest range of shops and the  largest department stores. Shops mainly sell comparison goods and  high order goods Draw customer from a wide sphere of  influence Highest land costs in the centre 

Slide 4: Bid rent theory

Slide 5: Main functions of the CBD 2. Offices: Banks, building societies, solicitors,  insurance companies and government offices occupy high rise office blocks or the upper floors above shops in the CBD

Slide 6: Main functions of the CBD 3. Culture and entertainment: Theatres, cinemas (although now  increasingly out of town), clubs, bars and restaurants  Some cities have certain areas famous for nightlife e.g. London’s West End and Newcastle’s Quayside

Slide 7: Transport  CBD is usually very accessible.  The focus of roads  Usually train station and bus station nearby  Largest urban areas have underground systems  Trams are being reintroduced into some city centres

Slide 8: Diagram from ‘Understanding GCSE Geog’

Slide 9: What do you think the problems are in the CBD?

Slide 10: Problems and attempted solutions in the CBD 1.Traffic congestion: Attempted solutions include: In UK towns grew and street patterns were Ring roads and by-  established before passes widespread car Urban motorways and  ownership flyovers Roads are often narrow Public transport  Grid lock schemes like ‘park and ride’ Multi-storey car parks  Pedestrianisation of  high streets Congestion charge 

Slide 12: Problems and attempted solutions in the CBD 2. Pollution Attempted solutions include: Water, air land and noise  Laws against the dumping of pollution are all common in CBDs. litter and sewage in rivers  Improved provision of litter bins and road sweeping (inc a Some illnesses such as asthma relatively recent addition of are exacerbated by urban living different types of bins to encourage recycling)  Clean Air Acts  Vehicles which will run on cleaner fuels  Increased planting of trees and shrubs

Slide 13: Problems and attempted solutions in the CBD 3. Lack of space and Attempted solutions the high cost of include: land  High rise buildings  Small retailers to increase floor have been forced space away  Out-of-town  ‘Clone towns’ shopping centres

Slide 14: Problems and attempted solutions in the CBD 4. Urban decline: Attempted solutions include:  As CBDs compete with out  Redevelopment of certain of town centres they zones in CBD e.g. Covent experience decline, inc Garden in London vacant properties, vandalism etc See whole section in a few lessons’  time on urban decline!  Growth of internet etc means CBD may no longer be the attractive location it once was, especially for those such as offices who do not need to attract passing trade

Slide 15: From ‘Advanced geography through diagrams’