City centre
A city is a human settlement with a large population. A city centre is the area of a city where significant commerce, political, cultural and power is concentrated. It is often also the geographic centre of a city. Typically, the city centre will be the first part of a city that was settled, making it the most historic area.
A city centre plays an important role in the economy of a city, since businesses benefit from the proximity that the centre offers. It is typically well-connected to other districts and suburbs, i.e. with good infrastructure and public transport links, and attractive in terms of employment, education and leisure time. Many cities share their centre with what is known as the Central Business District (CBD), although the concepts differ; the CBD is focused solely on economic and business factors, and is often referred to as the ‘financial district’.
Efforts to improve city centres can be focused on ‘urban renewal’ or ‘regeneration’ to encourage and direct private finance into a particular area as a supportive measure where market forces have failed.
Densification is a term used by planners, designers, developers and theorists to describe the increasing density of people living in urban areas, particularly city centres which can often be the most expensive places to live in the city.
In the United States, the term ‘downtown’ is typically used interchangeably with ‘city centre’.
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) defines a town centre as an; '...area defined on the local authority’s proposal map, including the primary shopping area and areas predominantly occupied by main town centre uses within or adjacent to the primary shopping area.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Agora.
- Central business district (CBD).
- City.
- Converting office and retail to residential housing on the high street.
- Densification.
- Edge of centre.
- Enterprise zones.
- Gentrification.
- High street.
- High street (planning and policy).
- Hub and spoke model.
- Main town centre uses.
- Out of town.
- Piazza.
- Post pandemic places report.
- Public space.
- Regeneration.
- Region.
- Suburb.
- The town's time has come.
- Town planning.
- Urbanisation.
- Urban design.
- Urban sprawl.
Featured articles and news
COP28 and the Path Ahead for Industry
The last few days, but action needed over the next decade.
Finalists for 2024 CIOB Awards revealed
80 construction leaders and companies from across the UK.
Promoting the importance of building and fire safety.
Health and Safety Training for Construction Employers
A brief run through essential training tips from a user.
3D Laser Scanning in Building Construction
A comprehensive guide from a Cohesive BIM wiki user.
BIM for structural reinforcement modelling
From the basics to the future from our Cohesive BIM wiki.
ECA skills recharge at the House of Commons
As electrical sector feels skills shortage bite.
The impact of pandemic and new legislation on courses
CIOB Academy’s course take-up inked to external factors.
An artist, philanthropist and ex-Army helicopter pilot
Q and A with self-representing artist, Hannah Shergold.
Building Safety Regulator appoints permanent director
And publishes three-year strategic plan.
Update on the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)
Introducing changes to make it more effective from 2024.
2023 CIOB photography competition
Shortlist announced for 2023 public choice award vote.
The last of the Victorians. Book review.
Grimsby's Kasbah: where’s that?
An exotic name that is shrouded in mystery.
This weeks guest editor, Ankita Dwivedi of Firstplanit.
From practice to research and the business of materials.