A statistical and geographical study on demolished buildings

Demolition of buildings is one fundamental but little studied factor participating in the dynamics of building stocks. This paper applies an explorative research strategy and studies the characteristics and location of demolished buildings in Finland as well as motives behind the demolition decisions. A statistical and geographical analysis was performed on a data set of all 50 818 buildings demolished in Finland between 2000 and 2012. The study shows that in the Finnish context, the amount of demolition, the size of the community, demographic development and construction activity are all interconnected. In general, the larger the community, the more it gains inhabitants and the more is built as well as demolished. The data confirms that removals from the building stock are a result of conscious deliberation; sudden destruction and gradual deterioration due to abandonment play minor roles. Non-residential buildings dominate the demolished floor area. In addition, they are much larger and younger at the time of demolition than residential buildings, which consist primarily of detached houses. Demolitions are geographically concentrated: cities covering little over 5% of Finland’s area are accountable for 76% of demolished floor area; and city cores with the area of only 0,2% for as much as 44%.