Central Business District

THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT



Introduction


The central business district (CBD) acts as the most important part of a city where the businesses are found along with the commercial activities in the centre of the city, forming what is known as the core. The CBD is a gradational fragmented zone rather than a single line that can actually be found. There are many important factors that contribute to the growth of the CBD. More purchasing power, better transportation and a larger population are preliminary conditions that have occurred as a slow process in their convergence after 1870. Other conditions that occurred over time include the economies of scale, the elimination of middlemen, the growth and location of dime stores, a need for financial exports and the vertical growth of buildings in the CBD. Changes in technology and the effects on the CBD during the later 1800’s will be discussed. Street patterns and block sizes will be touched on briefly with examples of why...