The street has not allowed vehicles down it since 1978.
It was only last month that Glasgow was crowned one of the kindest cities in the UK based on the number of acts of kindness that us Glaswegians carry out, which caused some light-hearted controversy. But nobody in Glasgow will surely turn up their nose at the fact that Buchanan Street has been named among the 10 best pedestrian streets to be found across the globe.
The accolade was awarded to the city’s main drag by leading travel media brand Afar, and sees it joined by streets such as Carnaby Street in London and Rue Mouffetard in Paris on the list.
The publication wrote the following about Buchanan Street: “Since it banned vehicles in 1978, Buchanan Street has evolved into an epicentre of Glasgow’s shopping district. The lively street is characterized by a vibrant collection of department stores and street performers, as well as its well-preserved display of Victorian and Edwardian architecture.
“It’s also home to the impressive Buchanan Galleries shopping mall and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Although the area is pedestrian only, it’s easily accessible via the Glasgow Subway’s Buchanan Street stop.”
SEE ALSO: The Secret Glasgow Guide To The City’s Style Mile
And we couldn’t agree more, especially when it comes to the shopping experience on Buchanan Street, as the pedestrianised road is part of Glasgow’s Style Mile. We may have been guilty of describing the street as hectic on a typical, pre-lockdown weekend, but right now, with us all staying at home we’re well and truly missing the hubbub that Buchanan Street brings.
Afar’s list shines a light on some of the most popular “thriving pedestrian streets” in cities across the world, before “social distancing” became a term we used on a regular basis.
As well as Buchanan Stree, the list includes seven other streets that make up the top 10, such as Strøget in Copenhagen, Qianmen Street in Beijing, Rua das Flores in Curitiba (Brazil), Lincoln Road on Miami Beach, Rue du Petit-Champlain in Quebec City, Cat Street in Tokyo and Third Street Promenade in LA.