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Extra para about architecture; and a long list of buildings and attractions
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==The History of Cardiff Bay==
==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.
The [[Cardiff Bay Development Corporation]] was created in [[1987]] to stimulate the redevelopment of the run down areas of [[Tiger Bay]] and [[Butetown]]. 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 woman 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.
In 1988, the body of a twenty year old woman 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.
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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.
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.

⚫
[[Image:Wales_Millennium_Centre_16-08-2005.jpg|left|thumb|The Wales Millennium Centre]]
===Aborted Schemes===
⚫
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-
*[[Cardiff Bay Opera House]], designed by [[Zaha Hadid]] in a competition.

==Cardiff Bay Today==
⚫
[[Image:Wales_Millennium_Centre_16-08-2005.jpg|right|thumb|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.

Cardiff Bay has become a ''Tour de Force'' of post-modern civic design, and is well known not only throughout the UK as a hot destination, but also globally for its modern, yet culturally sympathetic architecture.

The main attractions include -
* [[The St Davids Hotel & Spa]], a 5-star world class hotel.
* [[Wales Millennium Centre]] for the Performing Arts.
* Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre, known locally as 'the tube', designed by [[William Allsop]].
* Norwegian Church Arts Centre, a rescued and rebuilt ancient Norwegian Church.
* [[Techniquest]], an educational and entertaining science centre mainly for schoolchildren.
* themed bars and restaurants at [[Mermaid Quay]].
* style-conscious shops.
* the [[Water taxi|Water bus]], which offers civilian transport and tourist criuises.
* [[Cardiff Bay Barrage]], which is accessible via the Water Bus, and has guided tours.
* Cardiff Bay Sea-Train, a miniature railway to show tourists around the Bay and the [[Cardiff Docks|Docklands]].
* [[Cardiff Bay Ice Rink]]
* the [[Helwick Lightship]], a restored old lightship with a cafe.
* the [[Pierhead Building]], ex-HQ of the [[Bute Docks|Bute Dock Company]], a large elaborately detailed red brick building (Listed status) built in 1897. It houses the Visitor Centre for the Welsh Assembly.
* [[National Assembly for Wales]]
* [[The Point, Cardiff|The Point]], a popular club and live music venue.
* [[The Coal Exchange]], a venue for staged events.
* [[Cardiff Bay Wetland Reserve]], a coastal marsh with rare species and public walkways.
* [[Cardiff International Sports Village]] (under construction, possibly the site of the UKs first regional super casino)
* [[The Red Dragon Centre]] (formerly ''Atlantic Wharf Leisure Village''), an large commercial development.
* [[Atlantic Wharf]], a refurbished dock, surrounded by modern residential and commercial developments.
* [[Queen Alexandra Dock]]
* several smaller docks with landscaped seating areas and bridges, with views across the Bay.

===Access===

[[Cardiff Bay railway station]]

==See also==
* [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_places_in_Cardiff]]
* [[Cardiff]]


[[es:Bahía de Cardiff]]
[[es:Bahía de Cardiff]]

Revision as of 11:09, 30 January 2007

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.

The History of Cardiff Bay

The Cardiff Bay Development Corporation was created in 1987 to stimulate the redevelopment of the run down areas of Tiger Bay and Butetown. 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 woman 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.

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.

Aborted Schemes

Cardiff Bay Today

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.

Cardiff Bay has become a Tour de Force of post-modern civic design, and is well known not only throughout the UK as a hot destination, but also globally for its modern, yet culturally sympathetic architecture.

The main attractions include -

Access

Cardiff Bay railway station

See also

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