Abstract
Construction materials are stocked as structures during building lifespan, but as these structures age, the demolished materials are recycled or landfilled. These Out-Flows are created by 2reasons: 1) Structure aging; the structure itself can no longer be used due to a reduction of its integral strength; 2) Social reasons, such as city center re-development, where structure use could continue but are found unsuitable for societal needs. Thus, it is important to estimate the lifespan of structures from the point of view of regional specifications as well. A historical GIS database, based on aerial photos and source maps, was developed for this study. A historical GIS database can identify the age and scale of structures and so help to quantify the metabolism patterns of cities. This study clarified a method for structure lifespan estimation using historical GIS database.
