Chapter 12Chapter 12Key Issue 4Key Issue 4

Why Do Services Cluster Why Do Services Cluster Downtown? Downtown?

Central Business DistrictCentral Business District The central business district (CBD) is the center of a city where services The central business district (CBD) is the center of a city where services

have traditionally clustered.have traditionally clustered. Specifically 3 types of retail services have concentrated in the center Specifically 3 types of retail services have concentrated in the center

because they require accessibility. These include services with a high because they require accessibility. These include services with a high threshold, those with a long range, and those that serve people who work threshold, those with a long range, and those that serve people who work in the center.in the center.

A large department store is a service with a high threshold. Retail A large department store is a service with a high threshold. Retail services with a high range are specialized shops that are patronized services with a high range are specialized shops that are patronized infrequently. Both of these types of services have moved in large infrequently. Both of these types of services have moved in large numbers to suburban locations in recent years.numbers to suburban locations in recent years.

Services that cater to people working in the CBD have remained in this Services that cater to people working in the CBD have remained in this location and have actually expanded, especially where CBDs have been location and have actually expanded, especially where CBDs have been revitalized. Business services such as advertising and banking have also revitalized. Business services such as advertising and banking have also remained clustered in the CBD.remained clustered in the CBD.

Manufacturing has declined in MDCs. Industries that have not closed have Manufacturing has declined in MDCs. Industries that have not closed have moved their operations to the suburbs where they can take advantage of moved their operations to the suburbs where they can take advantage of cheaper land.cheaper land.

Residents have also moved away from CBDs. Pull factors have lured them Residents have also moved away from CBDs. Pull factors have lured them to the suburbs; the crime and poverty of central cities have acted as a to the suburbs; the crime and poverty of central cities have acted as a push factor.push factor.

Central Business District cont.Central Business District cont. Land costs in the CBD are very high because of Land costs in the CBD are very high because of

competition for accessibility. Thus land use is competition for accessibility. Thus land use is more intensive in the CBD and the built more intensive in the CBD and the built character is more vertical than other parts of character is more vertical than other parts of urban areas, both above and below ground.urban areas, both above and below ground.

Infrastructure, including transportation and Infrastructure, including transportation and utilities, typically runs underground.utilities, typically runs underground.

Skyscrapers give the central city its distinctive Skyscrapers give the central city its distinctive image. Washington, D.C., is the only large U.S. image. Washington, D.C., is the only large U.S. CBD that does not have skyscrapers because CBD that does not have skyscrapers because no building is allowed to be higher than the U.S. no building is allowed to be higher than the U.S. Capitol dome.Capitol dome.

European CBDs are visibly very different European CBDs are visibly very different because they have tried to preserve their because they have tried to preserve their historic cores by limiting high-rise buildings. historic cores by limiting high-rise buildings.

CBD of Charlotte, NCCBD of Charlotte, NC

Fig. 12-18: Charlotte’s CBD is dominated by retail and office buildings. Public and semipublic buildings are also in the downtown area.

Charlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte, North Carolina

Faneuil Hall, BostonFaneuil Hall, Boston

Faneuil Hall Marketplace was originally built in 1742 and was renovated in the 1970s into a popular retail center.

Dublin, IrelandDublin, Ireland

Retail services in Grafton Street, Dublin. European cities have retained consumer services in the CBD.

London, London, EnglandEngland

St. Paul’s Cathedral, designed in 1673, dominates the skyline of central London

Suburbanization of Businesses Suburbanization of Businesses North America suburbs are no longer just North America suburbs are no longer just

areas of residential growth. Businesses areas of residential growth. Businesses have moved to suburbs. have moved to suburbs.

Retailing has become concentrated in Retailing has become concentrated in suburban malls. Factories and offices suburban malls. Factories and offices have also moved to suburbia. have also moved to suburbia.

““Daily Urban Systems”Daily Urban Systems”

Fig. 12-20: The Commerce Department divided the US into “daily urban systems” with functional ties, especially commuting to the nearest metropolitan area.

Retail Retail Centers in Centers in

AtlantaAtlanta

Fig. 12-19: Most shopping malls in Atlanta and other cities are in the suburbs. The ideal location is near an interchange on an interstate highway beltway circling the city.

Shopping Center, Syracuse, Shopping Center, Syracuse, N.Y. N.Y.

Suburban shopping mall in Syracuse, N.Y. Retail services in most American cities have moved to suburban malls.

Key 4 Examine Question: Key 4 Examine Question: (reference concepts from this key issue)(reference concepts from this key issue)

1.1. Explain the reasoning why a person Explain the reasoning why a person would choose to live downtown, would choose to live downtown, near the CBD. Answer as though near the CBD. Answer as though you’re explaining your decision to a you’re explaining your decision to a friend why you chose to live there.friend why you chose to live there.

2.2. Explain the reasoning why a person Explain the reasoning why a person would choose to live in the suburbs would choose to live in the suburbs while they work in the city. Answer while they work in the city. Answer as if you’re explaining to a friend.as if you’re explaining to a friend.