How To Work With NIMBYs

One developer offers advice for his colleagues confronted with local communities opposed to any new development.

1 minute read

December 8, 2006, 12:00 PM PST

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


"According to a recent survey by the Center for Economic and Civic Opinion at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, 83 percent of suburban Americans say they do not want new development in their communities. Most say their communities are already overdeveloped or 'fine the way they are.' ...With this type of resistance, what is a developer to do?"

The author highlights the importance of open and honest communication between developers and community members, which can allow a collaborative process to identify and mitigate local concerns. Smart growth development principles are also suggested.

"Dealing with NIMBY neighbors means more than just reacting when residents start protesting. It means planning ahead to anticipate and avoid community opposition, and actively recruiting and mobilizing citizens in support of the project. A proactive and well-planned community outreach plan can help developers build a retail center project without traditional NIMBY opposition."

Thursday, December 7, 2006 in San Diego Daily Transcript

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 18, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Two people walking away from camera through pedestrian plaza in street in Richmond, Virginia with purple and white city bus moving in background.

Vehicle-related Deaths Drop 29% in Richmond, VA

The seventh year of the city's Vision Zero strategy also cut the number of people killed in alcohol-related crashes by half.

June 17, 2025 - WRIC

Rendering of proposed 38-story tower in downtown Portland, Maine.

Downtown Portland Ready for Maine's Tallest Building

The city of Portland anticipates a major new urban development addition called the “Old Port Square” project.  

30 minutes ago - News Center Maine

Map of EV charging ports in rural U.S. communities.

The EV “Charging Divide” Plaguing Rural America

With “the deck stacked” against rural areas, will the great electric American road trip ever be a reality?

June 20 - The Daily Yonder

Google street view of Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn with pedestrians crossing a crosswalk and cyclist in the bike lane.

Judge Halts Brooklyn Bike Lane Removal

Lawyers must prove the city was not acting “arbitrarily, capriciously, and illegally” in ordering the hasty removal.

June 20 - StreetsBlog NYC