> Does that mean each generation has to practically rebuild the houses of its parents?
Yes. In part its disposable consumerism but also its likely that something built in a period of rapid change (as suburbanism often builds houses on fields) may also be required to change itself after some time. In my area its common to see inter-war single-storey cottages rebuilt anew (knocked down completely with a new structure built from scratch), subdivided into two lots or amalgamated with others to build a block of apartments.
> Don't several story buildings pay for themselves
I mean dead-flat as in no steps in the ground floor within your building. Not as in 'single storey'.
Yes. In part its disposable consumerism but also its likely that something built in a period of rapid change (as suburbanism often builds houses on fields) may also be required to change itself after some time. In my area its common to see inter-war single-storey cottages rebuilt anew (knocked down completely with a new structure built from scratch), subdivided into two lots or amalgamated with others to build a block of apartments.
> Don't several story buildings pay for themselves
I mean dead-flat as in no steps in the ground floor within your building. Not as in 'single storey'.