Cardiff is the Welsh capital, this in some cities means that there is a real sense of the old institutions and buildings which go with them. This cant be said for Cardiff which would has the approach of out with the old and in with the new. This attitude is amplified to it best example in Cardiff Bay where the new government centre is sited amoungst other developments.
The only real example of Cardiffs past in Cardiff Bay is the old Pierhead building where the worlds first £1million contract was signed. The regeneration in Cardiff began in the 90's when the start of construction began to build the Cardiff Bay Barrage which is used to stabalize the tide and create one of the largest freshwaterlakes in Europe at a cost of approximately £220 million. The lake has helped improve the views and landscape of Cardiff Bay and improve water sports as well as tourism.
In regeneating the Bay area some old original dock yard cranes have been left to remind people what the city used to be and function as. It was nice to see that these cranes were not used in such a common manner as other maritime regeneration projects have.
There are a number of important buildings in Cardiff Bay area and their materials are key to their look, such as the Welsh National theatre or the new Welsh National Assembly. Both these building and there outside spaces really add to the public spaces especially at at night time when their lighting brightens up the whole Bay.
There has been £535million spent on the landmark St David's regeneration scheme along the Cardiff Bay front. There has been new shops, hotels, restaurants, offices, appartments and public spaces such as the plaza where markets and events are held. The majority of this regeneration is so contrasting there is nothing in Cardiff which is the same as something else, everything is somewhat of a mismash as a whole cityscale.
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