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Cardiff Bay
Cardiff Bay () is the area created by the Cardiff Barrage in South Cardiff, Wales. The regeneration of Cardiff Bay is now widely regarded as one of the most successful regeneration projects in the UK.[1] The Bay is supplied by two rivers (Taff and Ely) to form a freshwater lake round the former dockland area south of the city centre. The Bay was formerly tidal, with access to the sea limited to a couple of hours each side of high water but now provides 24 hour access through three locks[2].
HistoryCardiff Bay played a major part in Cardiff?s development by being the means of exporting coal from the South Wales Valleys to the rest of the world, helping to power the industrial age. The coal mining industry helped fund the building of Cardiff into the Capital city of Wales and helped the Third Marquis of Bute, who owned the docks, become the richest man in the world at the time. As Cardiff exports grew, so did its population; dockworkers and sailors from across the world settled in neighbourhoods close to the docks, known as Tiger Bay, and communities from up to 45 different nationalities, including Norwegian, Somali, Yemeni, Spanish, Italian, Caribbean and Irish helped create the unique multicultural character of the area. After the Second World War most of the industry closed down and became derelict. But, in 1999, new life was injected into the area by the building of the Cardiff Bay Barrage, one of the most controversial building projects of the day but also one of the most successful[3]. DevelopmentThe Cardiff Bay Development Corporation (CBDC) was created in 1987 to stimulate the redevelopment of 1,100 hectares (2,700 acres) of derelict land[4]. The Development Corporation aimed to attract private capital by spending public money to improve the area. Despite opposition by environmentalists and wildlife organisations, the mudflats 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 the wetlands to the south of the Hamadryad Park. 
Cardiff Bay in 2008 The development of "something like 1,250 apartments a year"[6] however might cause future problems, as currently (2008) up to one third are not occupied. Critics such as Lorraine Barrett (AM Labour, Cardiff South and Penarth) say, the flat complexes will not help to build up a community and too few attention has been paid to develop affordable housing. With the recent falls in property values, sales in the area have become problematic. Therefore landlords might be more willing to rent their places out to "people who may not be suited to that type of living."[7] There is an overview of one of the latest developments in Cardiff Bay, Victoria Wharf which may be of interest to those reading about the continued development of this area: Cardiff Bay, Victoria Wharf Connecting the Bay area to the centre of Cardiff was a primary goal when plans to develop the docklands were first mooted. Original plans included a grand boulevard (similar to where Lloyd George Avenue is located now) with high density commercial and residential units straddling both sides. This would have created significant demand for quality public transport provisions facilitating connections to the new Bay area but public transport was often of poor quality and, despite much improved connections through the Cardiff Bus BayCar service, the most efficient way of reaching the Bay area is by car. 
The Wales Millennium Centre, seen from Roald Dahl Plass Notable buildingsSt David's HotelThe St David's Hotel and Spa is a 5-star hotel with commanding views of the Bay. Cardiff Bay Visitor CentreA unique building known locally as 'The Tube' managed by Cardiff Harbour Authority housing exhibitions and providing visitor information. The Pierhead BuildingThe Pierhead was built in 1897 and designed by William Frame, who studied under William Burgess[8] It was formerly the headquarters of the Bute Dock Company. The SeneddThe Senedd is the National Assembly for Wales debating chamber. Wales Millennium CentreThe Wales Millennium Centre is home to the Welsh National Opera. Norwegian Church
Norwegian Church from the water TechniquestTechniquest is an educational science centre. Roald Dahl PlassRoald Dahl Plass is a large open amphitheatre style plaza frequently used as a venue for carnivals and festivals all year round. Water-based attractions
Commercial and residential
Appearances in the media
Roald Dahl Plass and the Millennium Centre are often used in external shots of the Torchwood Hub in Doctor Who and Torchwood. Also the Tenth Doctor Doctor Who Christmas Special (2006), "The Runaway Bride" [11] made use of office buildings in the Cardiff Bay. TransportCardiff Bay railway station is northeast of Mermaid Quay and is served by shuttle services to Cardiff Queen Street railway station. Cardiff Bus operates the following services to the Bay:
The Bay lies of the A4232 before the Butetown tunnels and is linked to the city centre by Lloyd George Avenue or Bute Street. See alsoGallery<gallery> Image:Cardiff Bay Pierhead.jpg|Cardiff Bay Pierhead Building and Assembly Debating Chamber </gallery> ReferencesExternal links
cy:Bae Caerdydd es:Bahía de Cardiff Source: Wikipedia | The above article is available under the GNU FDL. | Edit this article
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