Sustainable Building Legislation and Incentives in Korea: A Case-Study-Based Comparison of Building New and Renovation

More than one quarter of buildings in the Republic Korea (RoK) are aged, approaching end their projected lifetimes, and require renovation. Aged RoK generally demolished, new with higher gross floor areas realized on same properties. That kind redevelopment is associated increased resource consumption, related greenhouse gas emissions, other environmental impacts, as well generation construction waste displacement existing building tenants. This study analyzes legislative framework for sustainable RoK. Legally mandated basic standards renovation were analyzed, differences identified. Calculation methods criteria incentives determined. Incentive calculation applied to three case-study buildings, which represented most common types Korea. Maximum height, floor-to-area coverage ratios, fiscal energy-efficient technical systems quantified renovations. The findings identified current privileges buildings. To increase future renovations, tools improving legal framework, economic feasibility, discussed.