Unit 3 - Central Business District (CBD)

Question 1

What is CBD?

Answer 1

Central Business District - is the major commercial area of a city

Question 2

Where is the CBD located in HK?

Answer 2

Since the 19th Century - Central 中環
Now - expanded to Sheung Wan 上環 in the West and Admiralty 金鐘 in the East

Question 3

The characteristics of CBD are:(5 factors)

Answer 3

1) Commercial centre
2) Tall building with high rents
3) Administrative centre
4) Cultural venues
5) Heavy traffic

Question 4

The characteristics of CBD - 1) Commercial centre

Answer 4

• provides land for commercial use
• headquarters and offices - transnational (international) corporations and banks
• Offices that provides professional services such as law firm and clinics
• shop and malls that sell luxury products
• five-star hotels for tourism and event organisation

Question 5

The characteristics of CBD - 2) Tall building with high rents

Answer 5

• competition for land is strong due to its limited supply, so the rents are very high
• building are thus very tall and dense

Question 6

The characteristics of CBD - 3) Administrative centre

Answer 6

• Central and Admiralty serve as the administrative centre of HK.
• The Government Headquarters, the Legislative Council and the Court of Final Appeal can be found here

Question 7

The characteristics of CBD - 4) Cultural venues

Answer 7

• the CBD provides venues for recreational and cultural activities.
• e.g. “Central Harbourfront Event Space” is a popular location for music festivals
• many exhibitions and cultural events are held in revitalised historic building such as “Tai Kwun”.

Question 8

The characteristics of CBD - 5) Heavy traffic

Answer 8

• there are heavy pedestrian and traffic flows during peak hours
• traffic congestion is serious / common

Question 9

Why is Central the CBD of HK? (4 factors)

Answer 9

1) long history of development
2) Coastal location
3) Symbol of status
4) High accessibility

Question 10

Why is Central the CBD of HK? 1) long history of development

Answer 10

• Central has been the centre of development
• where Government headquarters, major roads and main buildings are located since the mid-19th century

Question 11

Why is Central the CBD of HK? 2) Coastal location

Answer 11

• Central is located on coastal flat land along Victoria Harbour.
• this allows to expand by reclamation.
• Many famous building and major roads are built on reclaimed land. e.g. IFC (International Finance Centre) and Queen’s Road Central