Geography - Land Use Zones

The Central Business District (CBD)

• Located at the heart of the city.

• Dominated by commercial and financial activities, including offices, banks, and shopping districts.

• Characterised by high-rise buildings and a dense network of streets.

• Often serves as the economic and administrative hub of the city.

The Inner City

• Surrounds the CBD and consists of older industrial and residential neighbourhoods.

• Historically, it was the core of industrial activities, with factories and warehouses.

• Contains a mix of housing types, including tenement flats and converted industrial spaces.

• Undergoes urban revitalisation efforts to improve living conditions and amenities.

The Suburbs

• Located at the city's periphery, beyond the inner city.

• Diverse range of housing options, from older homes to modern flats and houses.

• Typically has lower population densities compared to the inner city.

• Often chosen by families seeking larger homes, green spaces, and a quieter lifestyle

The Rural-Urban Fringe

• Found at the outermost edge of the city, where urban development meets rural areas.

• Offers a transition from urban to rural landscapes.

• Includes a mix of agricultural land, recreational spaces, and some housing developments.

• Subject to urban sprawl and potential conflicts between agricultural and urban land use.

CBD definition

• A central business district (CBD) is the commercial and business centre of a city.

Location of CBD

• 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.

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 of Inner city

• Surrounds the CBD

• Historically, it was the location of industrial activities, with factories and warehouses.

Inner city features on a map

• 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 of Inner city

• 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

Rural Urban Fringe definition

The rural-urban fringe is the area where the city meets the countryside.

Location of Rural Urban Fringe

• Edge of city – the furthest point from the CBD.

• Areas with room for expansion.

Features of Rural Urban Fringe on a map

• Flat land

• Open space

• Greenery

• Motorway junction nearby

• Curvilinear and cul-de-sac street patterns

• Modern industrial estates

Key features of Rural Urban Fringe

• Low land value

• Less traffic

• Lower levels of pollution

• Low population density compared to the city centre.

• A mixture of urban and rural land uses, such as housing developments and agricultural fields.

• Potential for suburban sprawl and urban expansion.