Examine how the C.B.D (Central Business District) of Belfast changed along chosen transects

Aim: The aim of this investigation is designed to examine how the C.B.D (Central Business District) of Belfast changed along chosen transects, from one side of the city centre to the other. The study should also mark out the limits of the Belfast C.B.D. and to examine the character of the Belfast C.B.D For my investigation, I am studying these following areas; 1. High street 2. Donegal Place 3. Castle Street 4. Royal Avenue 5. Castle Lane 6. Ann Street 7. North Street 8. Bedford Street/ Dublin Road 9. Chichester Street 10. May Street 11. Howard Street Data Collection Procedure The three class groups studying Geography in Year 11 will be required to carry out measurements and observations along various stopping points on a transect, starting from the middle of the C.B.D (McDonalds) and following a road outwards towards the edge of the C.B.D. Each transect will be a distance of no more than 1 Km. Each class will be divided into three smaller groups and with a supervising teacher, will take the measurements shown in the Hypothesis below at regular intervals of 100 metres. Our class was divided into one group of 10, two groups of 9 and each of them will be given certain transects. Each class will choose a different transect and at the end, we will pool our results to get an overall impression of how the C.B.D. changes from one side to the other. Hypothesis I will be investigating the following 10 hypothesis; Hypothesis One: Belfast's CBD has one street / avenue which has the greatest land value, from which other street's land value drop. To measure this, I will be recording the addresses of the shops and I will make an inquiry to the land registry to find out the price of the land. Hypothesis Two: Pedestrian flow increases with increasing land value To measure this, I will be recording the amount of pedestrians in that transect, so I will need to count and record the numbers on a tally sheet. Also, I will use the information given by the land registrar. Hypothesis Three: Shop frontage increases with increasing land value. To measure this, I will need to measure the length of shop frontage; I will be measuring using a trundle wheel. Also, I will use the information given by the land registrar. Hypothesis Four: Building height increases with increasing land value. To measure this, I will be measuring the height of buildings along chosen transects, measuring in storeys and land use classification. Also, I will use the information given by the land registrar. Hypothesis Five: Vehicle traffic flow decreases with increasing land value. To measure this, I will be measuring the type of vehicles moving through transects both sides of the road. To measure, I will count and record the numbers on a tally sheet. Also, I will use the information given by the land registrar. Hypothesis Six: Street quality improves with increasing land value. To measure this, I will be measuring shopping and street quality by using the shopping/street survey index and measure the attractiveness for shoppers in an area of a C.B.D. Also, I will use the information given by the land registrar. Hypothesis Seven: Shop frontage decreases with increasing distance from the centre of the C.B.D* To measure this, I will need to measure the length of shop frontage; I will be measuring using a trundle wheel. Hypothesis Eight: Land value drops with increasing distance from the centre of the C.B.D* To measure this, I will be recording the addresses of the shops and I will make an inquiry to the land registry to find out the price of the land. Hypothesis Nine: Street quality deteriorates with increasing distance from the centre of the C.B.D* To measure this, I will be measuring shopping and street quality by using the shopping/street survey index and measure the attractiveness for shoppers in an area of a C.B.D. Hypothesis Ten: Vehicle traffic flow increases with increasing distance from the centre of C.B.D* To measure this, I will be measuring the type of vehicles moving through transects both sides of the road. To measure, I will count and record the numbers on a tally sheet. * Centre of C.B.D. means crossroads at Primark (Castle Street/ Donegal Place) Map of study Area For my investigation, I am studying these following areas; 1. High Street 7. North Street 2. Donegal Place 8. Bedford Street/ Dublin Road 3. Castle Street 9. Chichester Street 4. Royal Avenue 10. May Street 5. Castle Lane 11. Howard Street 6. Ann Street What is a C.B.D? The Central Business District (CBD) is at the heart of any city. It is the part of the city where most business is conducted. The Central Business District (CBD) is generally located in the centre of a town or city with all routeways leading to it, making it the most accessible place in the city. Consequently, it is the most intensively used part of the city and as a result competition for space to conduct business is great; therefore land values are high and only large businesses can locate there. That is why no houses can locate there. A History of Belfast Belfast lies in a geographical basin; it grew at the lowest convenient crossing point of the River Lagan, where the river Farset joined the main river. Rolling hills that are broken only by Belfast Lough, into which the River Lagan flows, surrounds Belfast. North of the Lough you'll see Cave Hill. Belfast is a new City. Three hundred years ago, it hardly existed, yet it has grown since, more quickly than any other city in the British Isles. In the 1500's Arthur Chichester established a Garrison site. Although not especially defensive in character, the presence of Belfast Castle indicates that there was a need for defense. It can also be described as a Wet Point Site, beside the River Lagan where there was an available water supply. It was a site rich in resources. E.g. stone and wood (needed for settlement). In prehistoric times the Lagan Valley was full of forest and swamps. There was also plenty of flat land for building and the area was also sheltered from strong northerly winds. Belfast grew at the lowest convenient crossing point of the river Lagan, where the river Farset joined the main river. A sand spit formed making fording easy. Belfast can also be described as a wet point site, beside the river Lagan where there was an available water supply it was a rich site in resources. Belfast is built on a good site because there were fertile soils, flat land and good reliable water supply. The bridging point meant that the area was passed on a regular basis making the area have good trade links- This was as well as the ports. It was near to many other big towns and cities via roads and port. In 1613, James 1st erected Belfast as a corporate borough. There was a castle and a few cabins, it was a garrison town. Belfast grew fast and in 1685, the population was 600. Belfast looked like this: This is the 17th Century Garrison Town. English and Scots were inside walls and the Irish were outside. Belfast grew to port and market with some administrative functions. Population by 1718 was 18,300. Belfast grew quite large and by the 19th Century it grew and looked like this: In 1785, Linen hall opened. 19th Century Belfast was a period of industrialisation (which meant rapid growth) Port facilities were strained and water supply was inadequate. Cotton industry created capital to improve resources In 1800, the first dock was constructed, in 1819; the first stream boat came from Liverpool. In 1823, there was gas lighting, 1830, machines spinning of linen yarn. 1836 saw the birth of Ulster Railway. From 1840's attempts were made to plan part of cities growth. 1851-population was 100,300. . Belfast Today in the 21st Century. Belfast City Centre is Northern Ireland's premier commercial, retail and administrative centre and its future well-being and prosperity are important, not only for the economy of the Belfast Urban Area, but for Northern Ireland as a whole. The C.B.D. plays a vital role as a focus for government, business, shopping, leisure, cultural and social activities, also at the hub of the transportation network. The City Centre has a significant number of assets which provide a solid foundation on which a build a new image for Belfast. The individual and beautiful setting created by the surrounding hills, the Lough and the River Lagan provides a unique context in which the other positive features of the C.B.D. can be appreciated. These include; 1. A compact shopping centre 2. A substantial office district 3. Good cultural and entertainment facilities 4. A good transportation infrastructure 5. A historic street pattern and a legacy of fine buildings and townscape 6. A significant waterfront resource