reaction: a neighbor must construct a gas station or pig farm next door.
The Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY) Syndrome relating to waste management issues is
similar to that of nuclear power plants. The reaction is triggered by a proposal for a waste
disposal facility, whether a sanitary landfill or a recycling plant. The reason people respond
with the NIMBY standpoint is because of the past problems associated with landfills, including
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ASSIGNMENT – 02 (Human Geography)
UWU/CST/18/051 - W.D.E.Dileesha Weliwaththa
foul odors and drinking water contamination. Another concern is the risk of property values
dropping as a result of proximity to services. Additionally, most sanitary landfills in operation
do not follow the strict guidelines that have been laid out.
Also, the Syndrome is a neighborhood or community reaction to an undesirable facility
proposed for an area. In the case of affordable housing, the NIMBY reaction is an emotional
response to the perception that "affordable housing" is associated with "government-
subsidized housing." It is essential to recognize that the person deal with an emotional
reaction rather than a fact-based reaction.
Many communities have implemented exclusionary zoning that effectively precludes
"undesirable" development. In many instances, this regulatory action is the result of political
pressure applied by the NIMBYs. The factors generating the NIMBY reaction are attributed
to three primary concerns:
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Negative impact on property values
Concerns about increased traffic
Changes in neighborhood character
It is essential to understand NIMBYism, how it develops, and some suggestions for
neutralizing the reaction. To begin with, the NIMBY reaction almost always progresses
through three stages:
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Youth
Maturity
Old Age
Youth, is the stage when the news breaks regarding the proposed development.
Opposition tends to be confined to a small, local group from the area close to the proposed
site. NIMBY sentiments are usually bluntly expressed, often reflecting an irrational response
with fear of reduced property values, increased traffic, and changed neighborhood character.
At Maturity, pros and cons have solidified, and debate has moved from behind the
scenes to the public forum. Once in the public view, opposing positions are usually more
rational.
Old-Age, is characterized by arbitration with concessions on both sides. Resolution of
the conflict has become protracted and sometimes inconclusive. Persistence and stamina are
frequently associated with victory. Facing a stalemate, victory tends to fall to those with the
most staying power.
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ASSIGNMENT – 02 (Human Geography)
UWU/CST/18/051 - W.D.E.Dileesha Weliwaththa
Although there is no magic bullet for neutralizing NIMBYism, it is of value to understand the
NIMBY mindset and to respond appropriately. When presenting the case for housing
development, particularly an affordable housing development, the focus tends to be on the
"hazard," and the "outrage" is ignored. Unfortunately, there is a slight hazard to life or limb
with affordable housing, but considerable outrage may occur. The outrage needs to be
recognized and addressed, not ignored.
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Voluntary vs. Forced – Some risks are voluntary, and some are forced. For example,
jumping from a diving board into a pool may be fun. However, being grabbed from
behind, wrestled to the board, dragged to the end, and thrown into the pool is assault.
Note that the experience from the end of the board to the water is precisely the same
in both situations.
Consider a developer that announces to the public that an affordable housing project is being
planned on a specific site and that it will be built only if the neighbors want it. Further, a
negotiating team from the neighborhood will define the development's size, character, and
design. The team will discuss any mitigation deemed necessary and will report back to the
neighbors. Penalties for any developer violations of the agreement will be defined, and
neighborhood improvements (e.g., playgrounds, schools, buffers) that must accompany the
housing may also be discussed.
This approach may not generate acceptance with open arms, but there should certainly be
less outrage than under the forced approach. Whether this reduced outrage is sufficient to
create voluntary acceptance is influenced by other factors.
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Familiar vs. Exotic – A component of emotional outrage is the distinction between the
familiar and the exotic. Familiarity and understanding go together; exotic risk is
associated with fear of the unknown.
Moving a project from exotic to familiar requires dealing with the public openly and honestly.
Review the plan for the development; point out how neighbor's concerns have been
accommodated, and define how new portions of the neighborhood will be maintained. This
open communication, maintained even after the development has been approved, leads to
long-term support and acceptance.
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ASSIGNMENT – 02 (Human Geography)
UWU/CST/18/051 - W.D.E.Dileesha Weliwaththa
Knowable vs. Unknowable – The public is more concerned about the uncertainty of
an unseen enemy. When experts disagree about the severity of risk, the public
becomes uncertain whom to believe and typically adopts the most conservative
position.
Neutralizing uncertainty can be accomplished by reporting quantitative risk data as a range
rather than a single value. The range should span from the most optimistic to the most
pessimistic. Although based on possibly wide confidence bands, agreement among the
experts' estimates reduces public outrage.
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Responsiveness – Responsiveness refers to organizations that acknowledge problems
and openly discuss solution alternatives versus organizations that wait for problems
to be discovered and revealed by a whistle-blower, an accident, or a public hearing.
People do not respond well to secrecy. People want the truth, and they want it from
you. Along with truth is the ability to credibly say you are sorry.
A final aspect of responsiveness is the distinction between compassionate response and
technocratic response. An emotionally charged citizen does not like the data, charts, and
graphs that may be presented by an agency or company staff person. Preventing such a
confrontation requires paying close attention to and giving compassionate responses to
peoples' concerns while relying on the data.
Strategies for Minimizing NIMBY
However, "Communication" seems to be an essential aspect of winning support from
surrounding neighborhoods that are reluctant to welcome a planned development with open
arms.
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Communication before final plans is one of the better approaches.
Present a general concept to representatives of the surrounding neighborhoods –
do not present a finished plan.
Gather suggestions from the meeting and incorporate them into a draft plan.
Present the draft plan to the neighbors and show how you have incorporated their
suggestions.
Acknowledge potential hazards and how you have addressed them.
Specifically address property value preservation, traffic control, and minimizing
the impact of potential changes in neighborhood character.
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ASSIGNMENT – 02 (Human Geography)
UWU/CST/18/051 - W.D.E.Dileesha Weliwaththa
Discuss the marketing plan and target home-buyer groups that will be attracted.
Consider creating an advisory group from neighbors to meet periodically and discuss
progress and any plan changes made.
The goal of the process is to have the neighboring areas take "ownership" of the development
plan with some of their ideas being incorporated.
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by
cst18051stduwuaclk (student)
