Cardiff Bay Redevlopment Scheme

Question 1

key features

Answer 1

• part of the british government’s Urban Development Programme to regenrate deprived areas of british inner cities
  Mission statement:
• to put Cardiff on the international map as a superlative maritime city
• to enhance the image and economic well-being of Cardiff and Wales as a whole
  Achievements from the project:
• construction of a Barrage to create a freshwater lake
• new homes
• new offices

Question 2

why was this urban renewal scheme needed?

Answer 2

Economic:
- it was a victim of a dramatic fall in trade after WW2 + competition from other ports saw its decline, it was bringing downt the Welsh economic average
- due to signigicant economic decline + traditional industries (coal and steel), there was high unemployment
- it was needed to create new economic oppurtunities and creat jobs

Social:
- unemployment cycle led to many low-income families
- many relied on goverment welfare
- housing was in poor condition: crowded, outdated infrastructure, which led to residents facing difficult living conditions
- many areas around Cardiff Bay faced social isolation; there was a lack of amenities and people didn’t feel a sense of community
- ethinic minorites, low-income families and unemployed indivisuals couldn’t form social networs which created a feeling of neglect and disconnection

Environmental:
- area was polluted, had neglected industrial sites and waterfronts
- scheme aimed to clear up the contamination, provide green spaces and enhance the natural environment through the Barrage

Question 3

benefits of the scheme

Answer 3

• created new employment oppurtunities
• housing demands were addressed; mixture of private and affordable housing with improved living conditions
• development of cultural venues and attractions (Wales Millenium Centre), attracted tourism + contributed to the local economy, which enhanced Cardiff’s international profile
• improved the environmental conditions by cleaning up brownfield sites and enhancing green spaces, making it more attractive
• better public transport, including Cardiff Bay railway station which improved the connections to the CBD making the area more accessible

Question 4

problems with the scheme

Answer 4

• focused on developing on brownfield sites, which are more sustainable that greenfield developments, but many argues that some projects intruded on green spaces, potentially harming local ecosystems
• rising property values + increase of wealthier residents in Cardiff Bay would push out low income communities
• many of the jobs creates were in the retail/service sector, which may not have provided high-paying/long-term career oppurtunities for residents