The NIMBY syndrome is a bit like wanting the greenest garden in the neighbourhood, but refusing to water the plants because you don’t want to get your shoes wet. Everyone wants the benefits of modern infrastructure, but few are willing to face the small inconveniences that come with it.
NIMBY, not in my backyard!
The NIMBY effect (Not In My Backyard) describes the resistance of local communities to the construction of infrastructure in their vicinity, despite the recognition of its general usefulness.
Coined in the 1980s, the term is now central to the public debate, especially for projects with a high environmental and social impact, such as landfills, power plants, waste treatment plants and transport infrastructure.
The main concerns are health, safety, impact on theenvironment and loss of property value.
The opposite of NIMBY is the YIMBY(Yes In My Backyard) movement, which advocates the development of infrastructure and housing, especially in densely populated urban areas.
YIMBYs highlight benefits such asincreased housing supply, lower prices, job creation and improved public services.
There is also the WIMBY(Welcome In My Backyard) variant, which expresses an even more active acceptance of new projects.
Contested projects
The Middelgrunden wind farm, located near Copenhagen, is an example of effective NIMBY management.
Initially, there was strong opposition from local residents concerned about the visual and environmental impact of the wind turbines. However, through a public participation process and the opportunity for citizens to become co-owners of the project, the opposition was overcome.
Today, the wind farm is a successful model for renewable energy production and community participation.
In Italy, in Turin, the redevelopment project of the former industrial area of Spina 3 addressed and overcame the NIMBY effect.
Residents were initially against the transformation of the area into a new residential and commercial district. The municipality responded with a transparent and inclusive approach, organising public meetings and workshops to involve citizens in the decision-making process.
This has led to greater acceptance of the project and the creation of a modern, liveable urban area.
Active involvement
Effective management of the NIMBY syndrome requires transparency, dialogue and community involvement from an early stage.
Listening and responding to citizens’ concerns helps to build trust and prevent opposition based on unfounded fears, and guards against fake news.
Innovative design solutions, which improve aesthetics and functionality, and opportunities for economic participation, such as co-ownership, can transform initial resistance into active support.
An example of this is the landfill in Peccioli, Pisa, where the citizens of the municipality have become co-owners of the plant, taking an active role in its management and benefiting economically from the revenue generated.
However, obstacles such as cultural prejudices, complex regulations, bureaucracy and long authorisation times can slow down the process and increase the frustration of local communities.
The political factor also plays a key role: many leaders avoid supporting controversial projects for fear of losing support, creating a decision-making vacuum that can exacerbate tensions.
Finally, to overcome these challenges, it is crucial to adopt an approach based on open communication and active participation.
Play for the planet!