Xinyue Zhang

Local high streets support retail, housing, transport, public services and everyday social interaction; different high street forms face different spatial and functional challenges. This research compares Byres Road in Glasgow’s West End, a linear commercial street, with Parkhead Cross in the East End, a nodal town centre formed around a major junction. It asks how urban forms and urban intensity can inform site-specific regeneration strategies for enhancing urban vitality.

Research uses urban intensity as its main analytical framework, understood through density, mix and access. Byres Road has narrow plots, compact blocks, continuous commercial frontages and strong public transport accessibility. These conditions support pedestrian movement and commercial activity, but provide limited opportunities for staying, gathering and informal interaction. Parkhead Cross has strong regional accessibility and a historically important junction, but its traditional street structure has been weakened by large plots, parking areas and the inward-looking Forge Shopping Centre. Commercial activity is sometimes concentrated indoors or located on only one side of the street.

The design proposals respond differently to these conditions. At Byres Road, the existing linear commercial structure is retained while a stronger public node is created around the junction of Byres Road, Ashton Road and University Avenue. Renewed buildings, public space and an improved Hillhead Station entrance strengthen links with Ashton Lane, back lanes and the University of Glasgow. At Parkhead Cross, the shopping centre is restructured into mixed-use tenement blocks with housing above and adaptable commercial units at street level. Smaller plots, two-sided active frontages and internal courtyards restore street continuity and local centrality.

High street regeneration should respond to local spatial, social and economic conditions. This project aims to enhance urban vitality by creating more connected, active and inclusive high streets that support everyday movement, social interaction and long-term community life.