Many materials that are used in both residential and commercial construction degrade overtime, and this includes both driveways and sidewalks. Driveways and sidewalks can be made of many different materials, but the most common resource used by contractors is concrete, which may need to be replaced in the future.
Sidewalks and driveways can have many different issues, but most people want to get theirs repaired when they notice many cracks. It is also possible that a driveway or sidewalk is no longer like it was when it was first installed, and this has to do with the fact the soils of the property shift or settle.