The maps compare the town of Nelson in 2000 with its current layout.
Overall, Nelson has experienced considerable development over time. The town has become more modern, with new residential, commercial, and recreational facilities, as well as improvements in transport and pedestrian areas.
In 2000, Nelson was relatively simple in design. The city centre was located in the middle of the town, with a main road running across it. To the north, there was a university surrounded by trees. A train station was situated in the west, while an old market was found to the south-west of the city centre. The southern area was mainly occupied by a port.
At present, many changes can be seen. The university still exists but a hall of residence has been added nearby. The old train station has been replaced by a new one closer to the city centre. The former old market has been redeveloped into a new covered market, and a shopping centre has been built in the north-east. In addition, new facilities such as shops, a restaurant, and bars and clubs near the port have been introduced.
Another major change is that the city centre has been converted into a pedestrian-only area with a bike rental scheme, making the town more suitable for walking and cycling.