A humorous “application form” skewers the so-called NIMBY movement.
A satirical article in McSweeney’s Internet Tendency by Devin Wallace pokes fun at NIMBYs with a questionnaire styled as an “application” designed to “ensure that you’re cranky enough to join our bad-faith organization of cranks.”
“The Not In My Back Yard movement has been a proud supporter of exclusionary zoning, regressive views, and rose-colored nostalgia for decades,” writes Wallace. The “application” includes questions such as “What is your biggest concern about building new homes in your area?”
Answer choices:
- A. Decreasing property values
- B. More people, specifically ones that don’t look like me.
- C. Option B but I feel more comfortable publicly choosing option A.
After a few more questions, the form concludes: “Thank you for filling out this form, and the NIMBY National Organization will be in touch in six to eight weeks or whenever someone proposes building a duplex within a fifty-mile radius.”
FULL STORY: N.I.M.B.Y. Membership Application
Friday Funny: Grey Areas Discovered Between YIMBY and NIMBY
You know housing politics has gone mainstream when a satirical literary journal pokes fun at your acronyms.
YIMBY Right And Left: A Review of Two Books
A review of two books about the American housing crisis — one tailored to liberal readers, another tailored to conservative readers.
The Rise of Zoning Reform
As the housing affordability crisis spread from mainly coastal cities to the rest of the nation, cities and states are taking a serious look at outdated zoning codes that hamper efforts to build more housing.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service