Central business district (CBD)
A central business district (CBD) is the commercial and business centre of a city, often referred to as the ‘financial district’. Although many cities share their CBD with the ‘city centre’, the concepts differ, since the latter is the area of a city where significant commerce, political, cultural and power is concentrated.
CBDs traditionally developed in historic cities as the market square where there would be trade and other business activities. This would typically be in the geographic centre of the a settlement. However, as cities grew and became more populous, CBDs became a more fixed location where retail and commerce took place, often in an area away from the centre, in what are sometimes termed ‘edge cities’, e.g. Canary Wharf in London (top image).
This distance from the centre of a city to a CBD can be due to strong preservation laws and maximum building height restrictions that seek to preserve the historic character of the centre, e.g. Paris and Vienna. In the 21st century megacities of Asia, it is quite common for there to be several CBDs located across an urban area.
Some of the key characteristics of CBDs include:
- High concentration of offices, banks, financial institutions, and so on.
- High density and high-rise buildings.
- High land values.
- Lack of open and/or green space.
- Department stores and high-end shops.
- Multi-storey car parks.
- Well-managed infrastructure links with other parts of the city.
- Lack of people outside of business hours and at weekends.
- High concentration of pedestrians.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
ECA progress on Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter
Working hard to make progress on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Heat pumps, vehicle chargers and heating appliances must be sold with smart functionality.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
New-style degrees set for reformed ARB accreditation
Following the ARB Tomorrow's Architects competency outcomes for Architects.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.
Preserving, waterproofing and decorating buildings.
Comments