This still happens today. For example, city walls of Moscow were started to be dismantled in 19th century and whatever left was destroyed by the communists afte

This still happens today. For example, city walls of Moscow were started to be dismantled in 19th century and whatever left was destroyed by the communists after revolution. To widen the roads in the center of the city the communists demolished 18th and 19th century historical buildings (luckily some other buildings were just moved away using rails). Also new construction sometimes happens in the center and you cannot build something new without destroying a part of history first.