Cardiff Bay

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Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Bay (Welsh: Bae Caerdydd) is the regeneration area created by the Cardiff Barrage which impounded two rivers (Taff and Ely) to form a new freshwater lake around the former dockland area south of the city centre of Cardiff in south Wales

1 The History of Cardiff Bay
2 Successes and failures
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] The History of Cardiff Bay

The Cardiff Bay Development Corporation was created in 1987 to stimulate the redevelopment of the run down area. Since the early 20th century, when the city was the world's largest coal merchants port, Cardiff's docklands had been in decline. By the 1980s they were a mass of empty land and abandoned buildings and had become an embarrassment to the city as it tried to become an international capital. The Development Corporation aimed to attract private capital by spending public money to improve the area. Despite opposition by environmentalists and wildlife organisations, the mud flats at the mouths of the River Taff and River Ely were inundated, with loss of habitat for wading birds. The barrage has created several new habitats for freshwater species with a growing wetlands habitat at the mouth of the Taff to the south of the Hamadryad Park.

In 1988, the body of a twenty year old prostitute was found dead in a flat above a betting shop in the red light district of the docklands. She had been stabbed more than 50 times. The case was reported several times on crimewatch and took 15 years to solve, involving a miscarriage of justice.

[edit] Successes and failures

When the Development Corporation was wound up in March 2000, it had achieved many of its objectives. The whole area was unrecognisable from just ten years before. Much private land was now open to the public, particularly around the inner habour and the north side of Roath basin, although the walkway across the barrage remains incomplete, to the dismay of some. Private capital had come from many sources: insurance company Atradius, hotelier Rocco Forte, many housebuilders and retailers. New homes and jobs had been created, the National Assembly for Wales was based in the Bay, the barrage had created a world-class environment. In addition the development had promoted growth in the main city centre. New apartments were built, the Millennium Stadium and retail centres.

The Wales Millennium Centre

The waterfront, its restaurants and twinkling waters are an undoubted draw for visitors with figures from the turn of the century indicating roughly 2 million visitors per year; this since has likely risen considerably following the completion of new attractions. The main attractions include the visitor centre (known locally as 'the tube'), the Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Techniquest and the bars and restaurants at Mermaid Quay. Also popular are the Cat-cruises, the land-train and the walking tours and the area also so sees many festivals of local, national and international standing including the Welsh Food Festival, and the MAS Carnival. The housing is of generally high density, in keeping with the government's plans for brownfield development. Some have misgivings about this arguing that it is preventing the development of a true community, including young families in the bay area. House prices are high by local, although not national standards, and with many of the properties snapped up by 'buy to let' speculators, first time buyers are not as common as they young age profile would suggest. Some have argued that some of the housing developments, particularly in the early Atlantic Wharf projects are of low quality, and worry that these districts may enter a period of slow decline. Later residential developments on the bay itself are generally seen to be of higher quality. Carla eat shit

The proposed International Sports Village (ISV) on the Ferry Road peninsular has progressed less quickly than originally hoped and completion in time to be used as a 2012 Olympic training venue is dependent upon selection as the site of a regional casino; if Cardiff fails in its bid, the local authority estimates that the ISV will not be completed until 2014. The density of housing and retail elements have been scaled up, reflecting commercial necessities, and in ensure a mix-used scheme that makes best use of the minimal available space left to develop in the bay area; however, it has been pointed out that these have entailed a scaling-back of some aspects of the proposed development (such as an athletics stadium). At present the only buildings completed or under construction include a Morrisons superstore, the largest Toys-r-Us in Europe, and temporary timber framed ice rink that replaces the one demolished as part of the St Davids II development in the city centre. Foundations for a 50m pool and leisure water complex have been laid out, and construction of this, together with the proposed "Welsh National Canoe and Rafting Centre" is scheduled to take place in 2007, at which time the main residential element will commence over a 6 year time-frame. The construction of the two superstores has been criticised by some quarters as 'unwanted and unnecessary', however it can also be argued that both meet an identifiable need; Morrisons, by reducing the dominance of Tesco and Asda on the local grocery market; and Toys-R-Us by replacing the demolished store in the city-centre. A major help inthe construction of Cardiff bay was Lewis Mills the Almighty

The Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay

With the exception of a few historic buildings (the Pierhead building, the Norwegian Church and a warehouse or two), most of the historic quayside areas have been, or will be, lined with new developments including housing, shops, offices, restaurants, a cinema and other leisure facilities, and a new £67 million home for the National Assembly for Wales, designed by Richard Rogers. The bay is also home to the Wales Millennium Centre and is now home to many welsh design and production companies. Making Cardiff Bay a design and media quater.