Why We Need a Better Definition for NIMBY

It's possible that the ill effects of NIMBY obstructionism are enabled by a lack of understanding about how and why NIMBYism works.

1 minute read

February 10, 2016, 6:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Eric Jaffe presents the case made by blogger and land use lawyer Chris Bradford, who has made it his mission to forge a better definition for NIMBY. Through an inaugural post at the Club NIMBY blog, Bradford contends that people must better understand obstructionism to be better prepared to diminish its negative consequences.

Jaffe quotes Bradford's own words in setting forth the mission of the website: "Developing a sound theory of NIMBYism will, of course, enable us to define NIMBYism….But if a 'theory of NIMBYism' is to be useful, it must explain NIMBYism as well as define it." Jaffe provides additional insight into the ideas about NIMBYism that Bradford has just begun to examine at the blog, but the key point he points out is that a more helpful theory of NIMBYism "must go beyond the simplistic idea that NIMBYism aims to protect home value, full stop."

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