We're All Complicit in Change—Now What?

Be a citizen, not just a consumer.

1 minute read

March 5, 2015, 8:00 AM PST

By Hazel Borys


Scott Doyon talks about people's reaction to the redevelopment of a beloved tavern in his city: "Reacting in oh-so-predictable knee-jerk fashion to the usual melange of click-baity headlines, insufficient detail, and news posts missing the nuance of the story, people went nuts."

"Evil developers! No respect for history! Density, density, density! No matter, I thought. The story will get clarified and people will come to recognize that, rather than a curse, what we’re witnessing is a blessing that will not only help endow the tavern’s next century, it will replace an acre of asphalt car storage with both people and neighborhood-serving commercial enterprise. In short, it will deliver all the things people keep saying they want."

"But I was wrong. Even as the story’s details got ironed out, people were still angry in ways I just couldn’t fathom."

Doyon goes on to talk about NIMBYs' frozen-in-amber delusion and how to navigate through to placemaking.

Monday, March 2, 2015 in PlaceShakers

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

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

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.

May 7, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

May 1, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

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.

April 30, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Mobile home park at dusk.

Poor Conditions in Mobile Home Parks Put Residents at Risk

Failing infrastructure, poor water and air quality, and predatory owners endanger the health of manufactured home residents, many of whom are elderly and low-income.

May 11 - Next City

Complete Streets

How Complete Streets Stands to Lose in the FY26 ‘Skinny Budget’

The President’s proposed budget could cut key resources for active transportation, public transit, and road safety programs.

May 11 - Transportation for America

Historic Dairy Queen restaurant building with neon signs at night.

Dairy Queen and Rural Third Places

Dozens of Dairy Queen restaurants across Texas are closing, taking a critical community space with them.

May 11 - The Daily Yonder

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.