The Central Business District (CBD) is the commercial and often cultural center of a city. It typically contains the highest concentration of shops, offices, cultural venues, and transportation infrastructure. Some of the main functions of the CBD are to serve as the primary shopping destination with the widest selection of stores, the location of most office jobs and businesses, and the hub of cultural and entertainment venues like theaters. However, the CBD also faces several problems like traffic congestion, pollution, high land costs limiting space, and urban decline as businesses and customers move to suburban areas. Cities attempt to address these issues through solutions such as ring roads, public transportation, pedestrianization, and redevelopment projects.

1. The Central Business District (CBD)

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

3. Main functions of the CBD Shops: 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

4. Bid rent theory

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

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

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

8. Diagram from ‘Understanding GCSE Geog’

9. What do you think the problems are in the CBD?

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

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

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

14. Problems and attempted solutions in the CBD 4. Urban decline: As CBDs compete with out of town centres they experience decline, inc vacant properties, vandalism etc 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 Attempted solutions include: Redevelopment of certain zones in CBD e.g. Covent Garden in London See whole section in a few lessons’ time on urban decline!

15. From ‘Advanced geography through diagrams’