5 - Urban

Question 1

Name & Describe Land Use Zones

Answer 1

• The Central Business District (CBD)
  1. Located at the heart of the city.
  2. Dominated by commercial and financial activities, including offices, banks, and shopping districts.
  3. Characterized by high-rise buildings and a dense network of streets.
  4. Often serves as the economic and administrative hub of the city.
• The Inner City
  1. Surrounds the CBD and consists of older industrial and residential neighbourhoods.
  2. Historically, it was the core of industrial activities, with factories and warehouses.
  3. Contains a mix of housing types, including tenement flats and converted industrial spaces.
  4. Undergoes urban revitalisation efforts to improve living conditions and amenities.
• The Suburbs
  1. Located at the city’s periphery, beyond the inner city.
  2. Diverse range of housing options, from older homes to modern flats and houses.
  3. Typically has lower population densities compared to the inner city.
  4. Often chosen by families seeking larger homes, green spaces, and a quieter lifestyle.
• The Rural-Urban Fringe
  1. Found at the outermost edge of the city, where urban development meets rural areas.
  2. Offers a transition from urban to rural landscapes.
  3. Includes a mix of agricultural land, recreational spaces, and some housing developments.
  4. Subject to urban sprawl and potential conflicts between agricultural and urban land use.

Question 2

Features of the CBD?

Answer 2

• The CBD is a commercial and business center of a city.
• Location
  1. Usually in the centre of a city, often in the oldest/most historic part of town.
  2. Often the point where road/railways converge.
  3. Most accessible location for workers.
  4. Accessible to most people for shops and businesses.
• CBD features on maps
  1. Grid iron street pattern.
  2. Roads amalgamate around the CBD.
  3. Tourist attractions.
  4. Old buildings - university, churches, cathedrals.
  5. High order services like government buildings.
  6. Lack of open space / green space.
  7. Major public transport hubs - train and bus stations.
• Common Features of the CBD
  1. Grid iron street pattern (streets typically intersect at right angles, creating a grid-like arrangement of streets and blocks).
  2. High concentration of offices, banks, businesses and administration.
  3. High density and high-rise buildings.
  4. High land values.
  5. High concentration of pedestrians.
  Shopping malls and pedestrian areas.
  Shopping districts with malls, department stores and high-end shops.
  Multi-storey car parks.
  High levels of traffic pollution.
  Lack of people outside of business hours and at weekends.

Question 3

Changes in the CBD

Answer 3

1. One way streets: reducing the number of right turns which limits tailbacks on the narrow CBD roads. This helps improve the flow of traffic.
2. Bus lanes: allowing buses to travel in their own lane, uninterrupted by other traffic and helping them to reach their destination quicker.
3. Cycle lanes: encouraging carbon neutral transport around the city and reducing emissions.
   Conversions: unused buildings are being converted into housing to make the CBD more vibrant and prosperous.
4. Glass: office buildings constructed with lots of glass to allow more natural light and encourage productivity.
5. Pedestrianised streets: encouraging higher footfall and increased sales for shops and other retail outlets. It also is much safer for pedestrians as there are no cars. Emission free zones improves air quality for those living or working in CBD.
6. Greenery: to absorb the CO2 from the huge number of vehicles in the CBD.
7. Rain gardens: to gather water and slow down the return of water to the river, reducing the likelihood of flooding.

Question 4

Traffic Management in the CBD

Answer 4

1. Expanding and enhancing public transportation networks, including buses, trams, subways, and commuter trains, encourages commuters to leave their cars at home.
2. Implementing congestion pricing systems, where drivers are charged a fee to enter the CBD during peak hours, can reduce traffic volume and encourage alternative transportation modes.
3. Promoting carpooling and ridesharing programs incentivises commuters to share rides, reducing the number of individual vehicles on the road.
4. Creating safe and convenient bike lanes, pedestrian pathways, and bike-sharing programs encourages non-motorized transportation options.
5. Developing park-and-ride facilities at the outskirts of the CBD allows commuters to park their cars and switch to public transportation for the final leg of their journey.
6. Creating pedestrian-only zones or restricting vehicular access in certain areas of the CBD can improve safety and the overall urban environment.