What’s the Recipe for a Great Central Business District?

Describing what makes a great Central Business District, Sofia Song, Stella Donovan, and Jacqueline Scherr reference the 2023 Gensler City Pulse study highlighting the critical role Central Business Districts (CBDs) play in shaping urban dwellers' overall city experience, with findings indicating that a positive CBD experience makes residents 79% more likely to view their city favorably.

This comprehensive analysis, which surveyed 26,000 people across 53 cities worldwide, identified 39 key aspects of CBDs categorized into amenities, transportation attributes, experience attributes, and activities. Among these, the variety and quality of food and beverage options, accessibility to parks and nature, and the availability of outdoor recreational spaces emerged as significant predictors of a satisfying CBD experience. These amenities not only attract people to CBDs but also meet the growing demand for outdoor spaces, a trend that has become more pronounced since the pandemic.

The study underscores the importance of pedestrian-friendly pathways, the convenience of taxi and rideshare services, and ease of navigation as critical factors contributing to a great CBD experience. The report also points to areas needing improvement, such as the declining sense of safety and affordability within CBDs.

The study concludes that successful CBDs must evolve into activated, mixed-use, and multimodal urban centers that not only cater to business activities but also prioritize recreation, discovery, and aesthetic appeal to retain their relevance and appeal to urban populations.

Read the article or download the entire report using the link below directly to the article on the Gensler website.