What do we see?
In 2022, the average age of buildings in Flanders was 58.8 years. From 2016, the most recent year for which we have data, the graph below shows a steady increase in the average age of buildings.
What’s the aim?
In a circular economy, we aim to keep products and materials in circulation as long as possible. Extending the lifespan of buildings is a circular strategy par excellence: not only does it allow us to make longer use of something that already exists, it also reduces the need for completely new buildings. Nevertheless, the energy efficiency of buildings must be taken into account. In general, an older building consumes more energy because of poorer insulation, which leads to increased use of materials during the building’s period of use. Renovations are necessary to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings while extending their lifetime. However, renovations also have a materials demand: it is therefore essential to apply the principles of circular construction and renovation.
What does this indicator measure?
The age of buildings in Flanders was calculated using Statbel’s “Building stock” statistics, where buildings were categorised according to their year of construction class. For each class, the middle of the age interval was used as the year of construction for all buildings. For buildings constructed before 1900, the year 1890 was assumed as the year of construction. The average age of all buildings was then calculated as a weighted average of the numbers of buildings per building year class with the respective year of construction. The data do not take renovations into account: a renovated building does not change its year of construction, no matter how thorough the renovation may have been carried out.
