The “Not In My Back Yard” (or NIMBY), is an acronym used to describe the opposition against new construction of “environmentally hazardous” buildings or projects. These projects are planned to serve the community locally, but more specifically, the larger community, including those living farther distances from the site. However, these local inhabitants are affected most, for better or for worse. Its problematic results such as noise, traffic, loss of property value, as well as local environmental issues have caused many to criticize such development, popularizing the phrase “NIMBY”. It has been under much controversy as to whether or not the positives (safety, increased communication, higher employment rates, more means of transportation) outweigh the issues brought by these projects. The development projects include more/improved transportation methods(airports, highways etc), telephone masts, power plants, sewers, wastewater plants, and prisons.
On the contrary, there is also YIMBY (Yes In My Back Yard) groups developing. Those supporting this, desire development of new clean energy sources. They do not always desire change. Situations arrive where the present state is better than if more construction was done. Instead, affordable housing and other beneficial development is desired by those supporting YIMBY.
The reason for opposition can vary from person to person. It is not necessarily only beneficial to the larger population rather than the local residents. To see so many local people against new construction seems, to me, as people not wanting change. I suggest that we direct focus onto something other than convincing others on how project construction should be allowed or is better than the current state. One of the arguments for those with NIMBY, claim that new projects could lower the overall appearance of the land. We should take this argument into consideration and listen more towards those for NIMBY. Trying to construct projects that blend in with the area, to not create a distracting scene, would reduce the troubles brought upon by these projects. We could try to offer benefits for those highly effected by the buildings or plants, to balance out the problems they are forced to deal with living nearby new construction. (If not that, taking into consideration what those for NIMBY desire, could greatly reduce their thoughts of architects or designers as being selfish or narrow, and only building new things to improve their own lives.) Knowing that it is not always possible to build where we desire, it should be in our best interest to find the best possible location to create these sites. For example, building in areas that will affect the least amount of people in a negative way should be occupied for situations such as this. I personally see this as a Catch 22, in which someone is getting the short end of the stick. However, we must not be selfish with our ideas, and instead, take into consideration what the community wants, and those who live near desired development locations. http://www.usccr.gov/pubs/envjust/ej0104.pdf
http://www.uptownupdate.com/2008/02/not-in-my-backyard.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NIMBY
