The word obsolescence comes from the Latin word “obsolescere” which means to grow old. However, it is not age but change that is the main cause of obsolescence. Many old buildings still stand and may be better able to fulfill their useful functions due to their age. For example, churches, mosques, shrines, monumental and historical buildings are known to have been built many centuries ago and are even more functional and useful in their respective uses in their old age than when they were initially built.

According to the Chambers dictionary, obsolescence can be defined as the output of use of: in the process of disappearing that tends to become obsolete.

From the above descriptions of the word obsolescence, we can relate it to buildings, and when related to buildings, it can best be described as when buildings tend to fall out of use, be it economic, physical, legal, or even functional. .

It is important to note that obsolescence can track a new building even before it is complete, obsolescence is present almost everywhere to some degree. It becomes a factor to consider when buildings or facilities fall below contemporary standards. These standards will vary with time and place, as conditions that are acceptable now may not be acceptable years from now.

Obsolescence is therefore a relative term, much like the word “obsolete” which indicates that a property has no useful life as is; because a building may be obsolete in the context of one time and place, but not in another. For example, a building may be structurally sound but unable to generate enough revenue to keep it in its current state, also a building may become physically obsolete after completion as a result of a construction defect.

In light of this deprecation it could be deprecated in four broad categories, namely

1. Physical obsolescence

2. Legal obsolescence

3. Functional obsolescence

4. Economic obsolescence

These four categories will be discussed further in later writings.

So, in a nutshell, obsolescence in buildings refers to the gradual process or condition of a building that cannot meet contemporary standards in terms of functionality, legally, physically and economically, within a particular place and time, which causes the building to deteriorate. be obsolete