CBD Characteristics

You will need to be able to describe and where appropriate explain

the main characteristics of the CBD.

Where possible always try and give examples related to areas you
know
 Central Business District
The land in urban areas is used for many different purposes:

• Leisure and recreation may include open land, e.g. parks or built facilities such as sports centres
• Residential - the building of houses and flats.
• ･ Transport - road and rail networks, stations and airports
• Business and commerce - the building of offices, shops and banks. ･ Industry - factories,
warehouses and small production centres

• The Central Business District (CBD) in the city centre is where most business and commerce is
located.
• high/multi-storey buildings. •expensive land values

•shops are department •bus and railway stations

stores (comparison shops) (transport centres)
or specialist shops, like
jewellers
•cultural/historical
The CBD is easily identified buildings, museums
by the following features: and castles

•･ Most accessible, major

transport links Few people live there.

･ offices, finance, banks, administration,

town hall (business sector)
･ multi-storey car parks
 The CBD is located in the centre because it is:

• a central location for road/railways to converge

• the most accessible location for workers

accessible to most people for shops and businesses

 York CBD
• The main characteristics of the CBD are as follows:
• It forms the Old Core - often with a complex historic street pattern.
• It is very accessible with many routes converging here.
• Public Transport is often based close by, on the edge of the CBD with
rail and bus stations and taxi ranks.
• High numbers of pedestrians during the day - two daily rush hours
• High land values
• National Chain Stores - those at the top of the shopping hierarchy i.e.
department stores that can afford the high land values.
• Tall buildings (build up rather than out due to high land values)
• Local Government Buildings e.g. Town Hall, Library, Council Offices.
• Specialist services - including financial services, e.g. banks, building
societies etc.
• Entertainment Centre - theatres, cinemas, museums.
• Little Industry
 Transition Zone

Inner City
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Reasons for Suburban Growth

• 1. Better public transport and increased car

ownership meant people could separate work
from where they live.
• 2. Building societies provided mortgages
making it easier to buy homes
• 3. People were better off and looking for a
better living environment.