Princesshay in Exeter, England underwent a major redevelopment to revitalize the city center and attract more visitors. Key aspects of the redevelopment included constructing a new Debenhams department store and 50 shops, restaurants and cafes to improve retail variety. Over 100 new flats and apartments were added to create a more vibrant 24-hour community in the city center. Archaeological remains were sensitively incorporated into the design and improvements were made to pedestrian access and facilities for cyclists and drivers. The goal was to enhance the physical environment, preserve historical aspects of the area and improve the visitor experience to the city center.

1. Do now:
Come up with an advertising slogan
for Princesshay in Exeter

2. How can improving the physical
environment help to revitalize the
image of the CBD?

3. Examples of CBD improvements

4. Debenhams is a new landmark department store to attract
people to Exeter and compete with shopping centres in
Plymouth and Bristol.

5. 50 new shops, restaurants and cafes to improve the variety
of retail opportunities

6. In excess of 100 flats and apartments to create a 24 hour
economy and encourage city centre living

7. Sensitive approach to archaeological deposits. Roman
remains are displayed in the street.

8. Major improvements to basement servicing, which is now all
underground, reducing traffic.

9. New 300-space secure car park off Paris Street to encourage
more visitors

10. Improved access and pedestrianization, which is more
sustainable

11. Better facilities for cyclists

12. Improved setting for the City Wall to ensure that the
historical value of the city centre is preserved.

13. Improved views of Cathedral to ensure that the historical
value of the city centre is preserved.

14. New Heritage Centre linked to the Underground Passages to
attract and educate visitors

15. Modern underground toilet accommodation to improve the
visitor experience.

16. Public art installations to improve the visitor experience.

17. Go to http://www.juicygeography.co.uk/princesshay4.html
Or click the picture…
Download the objectives of the redevelopment
How can improving the physical environment help to
revitalize the image of the CBD?

18. How can improving the physical environment help to
revitalize the image of the CBD?
Use the virtual tour to discover more about the improvements to the physical environment of Princesshay.
Annotate the list of objectives with examples and comment on how effective the improvements have been.
Landmark department store
50 new shops, restaurants and cafes
In excess of 100 flats and apartments
Pedestrian priority and greater quality open space - with a larger European-style public square and enhanced St. Catherine's
Square
Sensitive approach to archaeological deposits
Major improvements to basement servicing
New 300-space secure car park off Paris Street
Improved access and pedestrianization
Better facilities for cyclists
Improved setting for the City Wall and Medieval Almshouses
New Tourist Information Centre
New Heritage Centre linked to the scheduled Underground Passages

19. This is the “lite” version of the case
study. For the full investigation, visit
http://www.juicygeography.co.uk/pr
incesshay.html
By Noel Jenkins