Byres Road: Conservation of a Major Shopping Street of West End, Glasgow: An Architectural Case Study

Pachappen, Muniandy (1993) Byres Road: Conservation of a Major Shopping Street of West End, Glasgow: An Architectural Case Study. Master of Architecture thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The origins of Byres Road date back to the seventeenth century in which it was a "highway" connecting Partick Cross to the fields to north. Byres Road recently marked its centennial year as a major shopping street of the West End of Glasgow. Since the Second World War the role of the Road as a major shopping street has declined together with its physical and visual quality of its character. The general concern raised by this process prompted this study and its aims are to reverse the decline of the Road. This study primarily seeks to: 1) Trace record the historical development and current role of Byres Road. 2) Identify the dources and factors contributing to the decline. 3) Outline the strategies that would address the identified problems. To achieve these objectives the following research has been undertaken: 1) Identification of its townscape values 2) Data collection on Byres Road regarding: a) the tenant mix b) the change of use c) pattern of ownership d) the influence of rateable value on the mix of tenants, 3) the current retailing patterns in Glasgow 4) case studies regarding competing shopping centres that are considered as the modern "high streets" 5) Study of environmental and physical requirements of High Streets. 6) The role of Byres Road within the context of Glasgow and its future. The study concludes by identifying Byres Road's vital role as a major element in forging a link between Botanic Gardens in the North and River Clyde in the South. Using the concept of "Open Shopping Mall" the shops along Byres Road would be revitalised as a "Speciality Stretch" between the Enlarged Prime Shopping Area in the North and a major shopping development at Partick Cross in the South.

• Item Type: Thesis (Master of Architecture)
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Additional Information: Adviser: Christian Hermanson
• Keywords: Architecture
• Date of Award: 1993
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1993-75570
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 19 Nov 2019 19:24
• Last Modified: 19 Nov 2019 19:24
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/75570