At least roofs from "the dark ages" (500-1400 AD) didn't collapse and buildings weren't treated as commodities. There are many buildings from this time still being used in spectacular condition, such as Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem built in 1189 AD in Nottingham.
One thing that is a bit confusing related to this topic is the fact that a relatively high IQ society (China) is massively worse at short term thinking (especially when in comes to infrastructure) even than the west. I don't want to think about what most cities in China will look like in 30 years, 2 yr old buildings were falling apart when I went there in 1999. Contrary to popular belief the Chinese are extreme short term thinkers (perhaps not the highest levels of government but certainly most people are), they will grab what they can right now and let the future be damned, it really is a universal disease over there.
At least roofs from "the dark ages" (500-1400 AD) didn't collapse and buildings weren't treated as commodities. There are many buildings from this time still being used in spectacular condition, such as Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem built in 1189 AD in Nottingham.
One thing that is a bit confusing related to this topic is the fact that a relatively high IQ society (China) is massively worse at short term thinking (especially when in comes to infrastructure) even than the west. I don't want to think about what most cities in China will look like in 30 years, 2 yr old buildings were falling apart when I went there in 1999. Contrary to popular belief the Chinese are extreme short term thinkers (perhaps not the highest levels of government but certainly most people are), they will grab what they can right now and let the future be damned, it really is a universal disease over there.