What characteristic defines a central business district?

A central business district (CBD) is primarily characterized by a high density of office buildings. This area is typically the commercial and business nucleus of the city, where numerous transactions, services, and businesses take place. Office buildings dominate the landscape because businesses often choose central locations to maximize visibility, accessibility, and collaboration opportunities.

This density of office buildings indicates economic vitality and attracts both employees and clients, reinforcing the CBD's role as a crucial center for economic activities. Furthermore, the presence of various services such as banks, restaurants, and retail shops often accompanies these office buildings, making the area a bustling hub during business hours.

The other characteristics listed do not accurately define a central business district. For instance, a high residential population typically characterizes suburban areas or mixed urban neighborhoods rather than a CBD. A focus on manufacturing is more representative of industrial zones, and low land prices are generally found outside of city centers, where demand is lower compared to the heavily sought-after real estate in a CBD. Thus, the high density of office buildings is what unmistakably defines the central business district.