Central Business District

(CBD)
The role of the CBD

 Shopping
 Entertainment
 Finance
(banking)
 Offices

The CBD or Central Business District is focal point of

a city. It is the commercial, office, retail, and cultural
center of the city and usually is the center point for
transportation networks.
Characteristics

 Most expensive land

 Tallest buildings
 Focus for road and rail transport
 Busiest place
Who does the CBD face competition from?

 Internet shopping
 Retail parks
 Out of town shopping
centres
 Huge out of town
supermarkets
 Business parks
Threats

 Too little parking

 Traffic congestion
 Pollution from cars,
buses and lorries
 Danger from traffic
 Crime
 Increasing costs
Threats
Decline of the CBD
 Empty shops,
banks
 Cinemas closed
 “Pound shops”
and charity
shops
 Looks run down
 Fewer people
 Decentralisation
– shops and
offices move to
outskirts of city
 How can the CBD be revitalised?

 Revamp the
shopping areas
 Pedestrianize
the CBD
 EMPTY BUILDINGS

 Bring them back in to

use e.g. old banks or
courts now used as
bars and clubs
 Get people back in to
the CBD by converting
upper floors into flats or
offices (Gentrification)
How can the CBD be revitalised?
 Safety and
security
 CCTV and
security in the
shopping centres
 Late night police
patrols
 A nicer environment

 Pedestrianize
 Street art (statues)
and well designed
street furniture
( places to sit)
 Public open space
Special events

 Concerts that attract people

 Christmas lights and events
 Museums and art galleries
subsidised by the government