The persistently low birth rate has led to a decline in total population, whereas the elderly population has been on the rise due to population aging. Also, 1- to 2-member households are gradually becoming more prevalent, as opposed to 3- to 4-member households, which has traditionally been the most common household composition.

These changes in the demographics are causing major shifts in building demands. The changes in the demographic and social structures coupled with the low-growth, sharing economy and emerging technologies based on information technology are widening the scope of the building market, giving rise to new industries and building types such as shared housing, co-working spaces, and pop-up stores. This phenomenon is leading to maximized utility of buildings based on legal permits for mixed-use buildings, but on the other hand, it is also a cause of frequent changes in uses and endless civil complaints and disputes in the process.