Urban use in developed countries Flashcards
What are the key features of a CBD???
Definition
A central business district (CBD) is the commercial and business centre of a city.
Location
Usually in the centre of a city, often in the oldest/most historic part of town.
Often the point where road/railways converge.
Most accessible location for workers.
Accessible to most people for shops and businesses.
CBD features visible on maps
Grid iron street pattern.
Roads amalgamate around the CBD.
Tourist attractions.
Old buildings - university, churches, cathedrals.
High order services like government buildings.
Lack of open space / green space.
Major public transport hubs - train and bus stations.
Common features of CBD
Grid iron street pattern (streets typically intersect at right angles, creating a grid-like arrangement of streets and blocks).
High concentration of offices, banks, businesses and administration.
High density and high-rise buildings.
High land values.
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.
What are the changed CBD have gone thru???
One way streets: reducing the number of right turns which limits tailbacks on the narrow CBD roads. This helps improve the flow of traffic.
Bus lanes: allowing buses to travel in their own lane, uninterrupted by other traffic and helping them to reach their destination quicker.
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.
Glass: office buildings constructed with lots of glass to allow more natural light and encourage productivity.
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.
Greenery: to absorb the CO2 from the huge number of vehicles in the CBD.
Rain gardens: to gather water and slow down the return of water to the river, reducing the likelihood of flooding.
What changes have occurred within Glasgow’s CBD???
In 1972 Glasgow’s famous shopping street Buchanan Street was pedestrianised. This made it the area safer as there were no cars to cause accidents. It has also improved the air quality of the area making it a more pleasant place to shop.
One way roads have been enforced around George Square to improve the flow of traffic for public transport. This allows buses and taxis to reach their destination more quickly. It also encourages people to use public transport rather than take their cars.
Many shops in Glasgow’s CBD have closed down or relocated to out of town shopping centres because the rent there is much cheaper and will help them earn higher profits.
Glasgow City Council plans to bring more housing to the CBD to ensure it is a prosperous and vibrant area.
Many vacant shops and premises like TJ Hughes repurposed into office space and housing to avoid dereliction.
The Avenues project aims to widen streets, install rain gardens, improve the quality of lighting across the CBD and segregate cycle lanes to ensure the CBD is a sustainable and environmentally friendly place.
What changed have occurred within Edinburgh’s CBD???
The Edinburgh City Pass (A720) was completed in 1986 which meant that cars did not have to pass through the busy CBD to get from one side of the city to other.
A tram system was completed in 2014 joining up inner city areas to the CBD, reducing the need for private cars and relieving pressure on buses.
St James Centre was demolished and replaced with St James Quarter to create investment from high end designer stores and more tourists visiting the CBD.
A one way system was introduced in the New Town around Princes Street to ease the flow of traffic through the CBD.
What is traffic management like within a CBD???
Expanding and enhancing public transportation networks, including buses, trams, subways, and commuter trains, encourages commuters to leave their cars at home.
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.
Promoting carpooling and ridesharing programs incentivises commuters to share rides, reducing the number of individual vehicles on the road.
Creating safe and convenient bike lanes, pedestrian pathways, and bike-sharing programs encourages non-motorized transportation options.
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.
Creating pedestrian-only zones or restricting vehicular access in certain areas of the CBD can improve safety and the overall urban environment.
What are the key features of an inner city???
Definition:
The “inner city” refers to the older part of a big city that’s close to the centre and typically has older buildings and neighbourhoods.
Location:
Surrounds the CBD
Historically, it was the location of industrial activities, with factories and warehouses.
Features on Maps:
Grid iron street pattern (streets typically intersect at right angles, creating a grid-like arrangement of streets and blocks).
River/canal nearby.
Evidence of old buildings.
Evidence of industry - factories, works, ports and harbours, chimneys.
Proximity to CBD.
Common features:
Contains a mix of housing types, including tenement flats and converted industrial spaces.
Poor quality housing, such as Low-cost high rise housing built originally for low income workers.
Lack of green space, gardens and parks.
Derelict land.
Limited shopping facilities and civic amenities.
High levels of traffic pollution.
Areas of redevelopment or urban regeneration to improve living conditions and amenities.
Housing areas demolished for motorways and ring roads.
Undergoes urban revitalisation efforts
Changes within the inner city???
Redevelopment: Old industrial areas are transformed into modern housing, offices, and green spaces.
Renovation and Upgrading: Involves the conversion of single-end housing into more spacious apartments suitable for accommodating families. Installation of double glazing, central heating and toilets in the renovated tenement apartments.
Tower Block Construction: Construction of high-rise buildings that can house a significant population in close proximity to the CBD while utilising minimal land area.
Tower Block Demolition: Many tower block structures, characterised by flat roofs, suffered from dampness and became unsuitable for habitation, leading to their demolition.
Gentrification: Wealthier individuals move into previously run-down areas, leading to higher property prices and sometimes the displacement of lower-income residents.
Sandblasting: To remove smog residue from buildings and enhance the overall environmental quality of the area.
Improved Transport: Upgrades to public transportation networks, such as new train stations or bus routes, to ease commuting. In Glasgow, the Partick interchange provides bus, subway and train services all in one building to link the inner city to the CBD easily.
Revitalised Cultural Scene: The development of cultural venues, galleries, theatres, and restaurants to attract residents and tourists.
Green Spaces: The creation of parks and green areas to enhance the environment and provide recreational spaces.
Tourism: areas such as Finnieston in Glasgow regenerated (SECC, Hydro, Sky Park) in order to bring tourists to area and create more prosperity for businesses.
What inner city changes have occurred within Glasgow Harbour development???
Tourism - Garden Festival: In the 1980’s the old shipyards around the River Clyde were transformed into site for the Garden Festival to be hosted. This helped Glasgow win the award for European City of Culture in 1988 and kickstarted tourism in Glasgow, which generated tourism, increased investment and jobs. The money created from this was reinvested in urban regeneration projects.
Tourism - conferences and events: More facilities were built around the Glasgow Harbour area to bring more tourists and investment to the area including the Scottish Exhibition Centre, Science Museum, and Hydro.
Transport: The transport of the area was improved to make it more accessible from the CBD and residential areas. This A814 road is commonly known as the Cydeside Expressway.
Public transport: The Clyde Arc (Squinty Bridge) was constructed to make this area more accessible from the South side of the river. The main feature of this bridge are the bus lanes which only buses can use to make the journey across the bridging point quicker.
Housing: New luxury apartments with views of the River Clyde and the cityscape were constructed and this has brought a more upmarket social and economic mix to a once deprived and derelict area.
Landscaping: Greenscaping landscaping has resulted in more trees and grassy areas to improve the environmental quality of the area. There are wide, spacious walkways either side of the river to allow walking and cycling, reducing the need for private car transport.
What inner city changes have occurred within Leith, Edinburgh???
Tourism: The Royal Yacht Britannia is docked in Leith. This attracts tourists to the area who spend money in local shops and amenities. This money can be reinvested back into the area. Leith has a port which is a major Scottish cruise ship destination for accessing Edinburgh. Port taxes and spending in local businesses have helped the Leith area to become more prosperous in recent years.
Shopping and recreation: Ocean Terminal shopping centre was opened in 2001 to attract residents from across Edinburgh and beyond to the area for shopping and leisure.
Housing: Many of the old warehouses have been converted into luxury flats and apartments which improve the social and economic mix of the area. It also reduces the number of derelict buildings, which improves the environmental quality of the area.
Transport: The Edinburgh tram network has been extended to Leith, making it a more attractive and accessible place for people to live and for tourists to visit.
Industry and trade: A deep water port is to be constructed at Leith which means that ships and cruise liners will be able to dock regardless of time/tide, bring more prosperity to the area.
