Building obsolescence in the evolving city. Reframing property vacancy and abandonment in the light of urban dynamics and complexity

• Published in: Cities 2021-01, Vol.108, p.102964, Article 102964
• Main Authors: Buitelaar, Edwin, Moroni, Stefano, De Franco, Anita
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Complexity; Jane Jacobs; Obsolescence; Urban planning; Vacancy
• ISSN: 0264-2751; 1873-6084
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2020.102964

This conceptual article analyses how both policymakers and academics often discuss the state of buildings. Property vacancy and abandonment are generally approached statically, in an undifferentiated way and responded to with ad hoc public policies. However, there is great variety in the causes and effects of a building's state of affairs. This article adopts a more complex and dynamic view of building obsolescence to better understand the development of a building and the reasons behind its current (temporary) state. It basically shows that a different set of policy options come into the picture when viewing the city as a complex evolving system, rather than as a ‘made order’ or ‘organisation’. Rather than policy rules and actions that are reactive and correct for undesired urban outcomes, these (framework) rules are anticipative as they facilitate and incentivize change before a building reaches a socially unwanted state. Those policy options are empirically illustrated. •Property vacancy and abandonment are often approached statically and in an undifferentiated way.•Policy responses tend to be ad hoc and correct urban orders reactively.•But cities are complex evolving systems, so is the life-course of urban buildings.•Anticipative, framework policies are more suitable in dealing with emerging building obsolescence.