NIMBY Research Articles

A Dataset of Distribution and Characterization of Underground Wastewater Treatment Plants in China

Underground wastewater treatment plants (U-WWTPs) have emerged as a novel paradigm for urban wastewater pollutants management, offering benefits such as alleviating the Not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) effect and utilizing land resources efficiently. China stands at the forefront, witnessing swift advancements in U-WWTP technology and deployment. However, the absence of a thorough understanding of their geographical distribution and operational characteristics could lead to misaligned planning and construction, resulting in inefficient resource allocation and treatment capacities for urban wastewater treatment. This dataset provides an up-to-date overview of the spatial distribution, process selection, and discharge standards for all U-WWTPs in China (with a total number of 201) constructed since 1995. To enhance comparative analysis, the dataset has been supplemented with information on conventional aboveground wastewater treatment plants (A-WWTPs), comprising a total of 2464 records, which enriches a more comprehensive evaluation of different wastewater treatment approaches. Utilizing this dataset can provide essential data support for the strategic management of urban wastewater systems and serve as a valuable reference for the paradigmatic renovation of existing wastewater treatment plants.

Social License to Operate for NIMBY Infrastructures: The Mechanism of the Four Components of Procedural Justice

The key to obtaining the Social License to Operate (SLO) for businesses in the not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) infrastructure projects is the justice of the process. The study constructs a model to analyze the effect of the four components of procedural justice (procedural regulations and the behavior and attitudes of the government and construction enterprises) on the SLO. A large-scale questionnaire survey is conducted to assess the role and the extent of the influence of these four components in obtaining the SLO for NIMBY infrastructures. The results of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and mediation effects tests show that procedural justice significantly influences the SLO for NIMBY infrastructure projects. All four components significantly improve community trust and social acceptance of the project. The construction enterprise’s informal treatment of the public’s behavior and attitudes has the largest influence, whereas the government’s formal treatment of the public’s behavior and attitudes has the least influence. The findings provide theoretical and practical guidance for improving the SLO for NIMBY infrastructure projects and promoting the sustainable development of these projects.

Community Inclusion Experiences While Establishing Community Mental Health Clubhouses in Taiwan: Perspectives from Mental Health Professionals.

Community inclusion is a human right for all people, including people with mental illness. It is also an important part of individualized support to enable people experiencing mental illness to live in their preferred communities and to recover. In Taiwan, no study has investigated the social experiences of healthcare professionals. To fill this knowledge gap and inform ongoing mental health system strengthening, this study examined the not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) phenomenon observed while establishing community mental health clubhouses in Taiwan and corresponding experiences of community inclusion. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews of 16 purposively sampled frontline healthcare professionals from Taiwanese mental health clubhouses. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Two themes were identified: "NIMBY phenomenon: Community residents' resistance to clubhouses" and "Measures adopted by the clubhouse for community inclusion". Two categories with eleven subcategories emerged. The findings demonstrate the following conclusions. First, the NIMBY phenomenon is related to the stigmatization and discrimination faced by individuals with mental disorders in society. Second, in Asian societies, mental disorders are associated with a particular social and cultural context. Third, the fear and rejection of individuals with mental disorders deepen their social exclusion. Forth, community mental health clubhouse models employ seven strategic approaches to community inclusion, listed as follows: capacity building for individuals, direct interaction with the public through community activities, provision of community services, life skills training, repairing and managing neighborhood relationships, assisting individuals in obtaining community employment, and conducting social education for community residents. Clearly, we need to combat social exclusion of people with mental illness and promote inclusive and accessible services and systems across sectors.

Warding off Development: Local Control, Housing Supply, and NIMBYs

Abstract Local control of land-use regulation creates a not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) problem that can suppress housing construction, contributing to rising prices and potentially slowing economic growth. I study how increased local control affects housing production by exploiting a common electoral reform—changing from “at-large” to “ward” elections for town council. These reforms, which are not typically motivated by housing markets, shrink each representative’s constituency from the entire town to one ward. Results from a variety of difference-in-differences estimators show that this decentralization decreases housing units permitted by 20%, with similar effects on multi- and single-family permits. Effects are larger in whiter and higher-income towns.

Public perceptions of fossil and alternative energy in Serbia: Between NIMBYism and nationalism

Understanding public perceptions of energy sources is essential for successful policy formulation. Our study explores the Serbian public's attitudes toward different types of energy, taking into account NIMBY (“Not In My Back Yard") sentiments, nationalist orientation, and pro-Russian attitudes. A correlational cross-sectional design utilized an online survey disseminated via social media platforms. The study examined public preferences for various energy types and their correlations with nationalist and pro-Russian tendencies. Poststratification weighting was applied to address sample representativeness. Our research revealed the public's preference for renewable energy, particularly solar and wind. Surprisingly, nationalist views did not significantly align with fossil fuel preferences, differentiating Serbia from Western European trends. Geopolitical considerations, such as Serbia's relationship with Russia, did not strongly influence public opinion. These findings underscore the importance of considering public preferences in shaping Serbia's energy policy, emphasizing the need for investment in renewables. Based on the results we offer concrete policy recommendations. This study offers a methodological approach adaptable to other countries undergoing similar energy transition.

Towards a better psychological satisfaction: developing a mixed multi-criteria evaluation system to urban ‘Not in my back yard’ facilities siting

‘Not in My Back Yard (NIMBY)’ facilities are psychologically sensitive to urban and regional development. Multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) method has been widely used for the decision-making of optimum siting of urban NIMBY facilities which aim to improve residents’ psychological satisfaction. However, the evaluation of qualitative criteria in siting analysis remains under researched, such as the insufficient focus on urban and regional spatial development, social public opinion, and psychological factors. Thus, the effective improvement of MCE method through an interdisciplinary view can optimise the decision process and advance the factor assessment system of siting, which helps to supplement qualitative criteria evaluation. The specific improvement steps are as follows. The first step is to introduce the mixed MCE method to improve the qualitative criteria evaluation method by pre-processing qualitative criteria with min–max standardisation and normalization. This process transfers all negative factors to positive ones and transforms the F function to linear functions. The second step is to optimise the existing two-phase siting decision-making including the feasibility evaluation phase and the MCE phase. The third step is to propose a modular criteria system composed of urban and regional spatial planning, social psychological factors and the corresponding improvement strategy of this system from three perspectives of composition, measure, and weight. We argue that the improved method could be broadly applied to optimum siting decision of urban NIMBY facilities and enhance the psychological satisfaction of residents.

Comprehensive Evaluation of NIMBY Phenomenon with Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process and Radar Chart

The risk level of the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) phenomenon is crucial for the safety and economy of transmission and transformation projects which is rarely studied, especially for site selection and the construction of transmission lines and substations. In order to effectively evaluate the risk level to solve the dilemma caused by the NIMBY phenomenon, an evaluation method for quantifying the level of the NIMBY phenomenon is proposed. In this paper, thirty-one evaluation criteria and a risk model are put forward according to relevant laws and regulations that should be followed in the transmission and transformation project in China, then the scores corresponding to these criteria are obtained by a questionnaire survey. The radar chart method and minimum area method are applied to determine the weights of the element and unit layers. Furthermore, the overall risk level is evaluated by the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method. In addition, a transmission and transformation project in Xi’an City, China, is used as an example to verify the correction of the risk model and its evaluation method. The results show that the weaknesses in the transmission and transformation project are analyzed, and suggestions for decreasing the risk level are put forward to minimize losses due to the NIMBY phenomenon.

Public service motivation and not-in-my-backyard: The case of high-level radioactive waste disposal sites in Japan

This study investigated the association between public service motivation (PSM) and the not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) reaction by the public that often blocks important projects. A conjoint experiment was conducted using the scenario of hypothetical plans for the construction of a high-level radioactive waste disposal site, one of the most noxious NIMBY facilities. The results showed that overall PSM (the full scale) had no association with the public’s willingness to accept such facilities. Still, we observed significant positive correlations for the PSM dimensions of attraction to public service and self-sacrifice, and a significant negative correlation with the PSM dimension of compassion. As expected, some dimensions of PSM strengthened (moderated) the positive effect of policy attributes on acceptance. Contrary to our prediction that PSM attenuates the relationship between distance and acceptance, overall PSM, commitment to public values, and compassion amplified the relationship. Together, these findings suggest the need to promote research considering the multifaceted nature of PSM in NIMBY problems.

Political expectations and electoral responses to wind farm development in Sweden

Wind energy expansion has influenced electoral behavior by decreasing support for incumbents, primarily explained by not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) arguments. However, how does the establishment of wind farms shape electoral behavior when municipal politicians can veto such establishments? Analyzing Sweden, this study shows that voters respond not only by retrospectively evaluating past constructions but also by evaluating parties differently based on their expectations. Our results indicate that parties more likely to approve turbine constructions are punished more than those less expected to do so. Additionally, we find no evidence that the construction of wind turbines influences support for either Green or radical right-wing parties. In conclusion, this study show that the political repercussions of wind farm expansion are multifaceted, influenced by a combination of past actions, future expectations, and the ideological stances of political parties.

Localised Perceptions of Large-Scale Active Transport Infrastructure: Resident Attitudes Towards Pedestrian and Cyclist-Only Bridges on the Gold Coast, Australia

ABSTRACT Large-scale active transport infrastructure is essential to connect walking and cycling networks severed by physical impediments (e.g. waterways and motorways). Yet, implementations in car-centric urban areas have experienced localised ‘bikelash’ and Not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) resistance. Our mixed-method, cross-sectional study from the Gold Coast, Australia, identified positive sentiments towards green bridge implementations within the broader urban area. However, support for future bridge implementations decreased with proximity to respondents’ homes. State and local governments planning new facilities must account for this geographical discounting effect, where residents want to reside near active transport infrastructure to derive benefit from them, but not too close.

From “not in my backyard” to “please in my backyard”: Transforming the local responses toward a waste-to-energy incineration project in China

While investing in waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration facilities is conducive to promoting the circular economy and achieving energy transition, the Not-in-My-Backyard (NIMBY) conflict surrounding these projects has become prevalent in recent decades. Against this background, there is a noteworthy and counterintuitive phenomenon where previous opponents evolve into proponents, accepting and even embracing a previously resisted facility. We still know little about why and how this reversal of stance takes place, and this knowledge gap hinders our ability to effectively restore legitimacy and dispel misconceptions of some energy initiatives. To address this issue, we conducted an in-depth case study of the Jiufeng WTE incineration plant in China. Through this analysis, we traced the trajectory of how public opposition gradually dissipated and transformed into the Please-in-My-Backyard (PIMBY) responses. Our findings highlight the crucial role of meaning-making actions in dissipating radical boycott and the significance of providing substantive compensation in fostering a transition from mere acquiescence to active support. These insights will be helpful for project participants and authorities in addressing intractable environmental issues and meeting residents' demands.

Waste-to-energy incineration site selection framework based on heterogeneous fuzzy regret-PROMETHEE model considering life-cycle carbon emissions.

Waste incineration technology has received extensive attention for its advantages of being harmless, reducing, and recycling. However, the waste-to-energy incineration project confronts significant "not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) concerns," and irrational location choices will have negative effects on the project's economy and sustainability; it is also a great challenge to the credibility of the government. To this end, a multi-criteria decision-making framework is constructed for the site selection of waste-to-energy incineration projects. To begin with, a site selection criteria system is established including 16 sub-criteria from four aspects, where probabilistic linguistic term sets are introduced to depict the qualitative sub-criteria and probabilistic hesitant fuzzy sets are employed to express the uncertainty of quantitative sub-criteria. An optimization model is then built to determine the weights of criteria based on the Pearson correlation coefficient and least square method. Furthermore, a regret-preference ranking organization methods for enrichment evaluations (PROMETHEE) model is presented to rank alternatives in a heterogeneous decision environment. Finally, a case study in China is conducted to validate the applicability of the proposed framework; the result of the site selection demonstrates that alternative A2 located in Miyun, Beijing, is the most optimal option. This work provides investors with scientific decision reference and also extends the methods in the decision-making field.

How to Shape Local Public Acceptance of Not-in-My-Backyard Infrastructures? A Social Cognitive Theory Perspective

Acceptance by the local public is the key determinant for the successful implementation of NIMBY (Not-In-My-Backyard) infrastructures and may be shaped in different ways among different infrastructure types. Based on social cognitive theory (SCT), this study clarifies the specific mechanism shaping local public acceptance of NIMBY facilities with two types of hazardous effects (i.e., pollution and psychological exclusion) using a large-scale questionnaire survey and structural equation model. The results reveal that, firstly, SCT provides a solid theoretical basis for exploring the mechanism under the joint action of environmental and personal factors. Secondly, it is verified that self-efficacy indirectly predicts local public acceptance by influencing perceived risk. The effect of the positive affect tag is mediated by perceived risk in shaping acceptance of polluting facilities but not of psychologically excluded facilities. In general, people tend to have a lower perceived risk, higher perceived benefit, stronger sense of self-efficacy, and more positive attitude when faced with the siting of psychologically excluded NIMBY facilities over polluting ones. These findings are helpful for planning and decision-making of NIMBY facilities with different types of hazardous impacts, reducing NIMBY conflicts and promoting the construction of NIMBY infrastructures. Furthermore, it contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 (promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development) and (SDG) 11 (building inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and human settlements).

How to move from conflict to opportunity in the not-in-my-backyard dilemma: A case study of the Asuwei waste incineration plant in Beijing

Environmental Not-In-My-Backyard (NIMBY) conflicts pose significant challenges to environmental sustainability and governance capacity, particularly in transition economies like China. However, existing literature has largely overlooked the potential for transforming environmental NIMBY conflicts into opportunities, leaving a gap in our comprehension of the underlying mechanisms facilitating such transformations. Building upon the traditional conflict transformation theory, we develop a theoretical framework of Environmental NIMBY Conflict Transformation (ENCT) specifically tailored to environmental NIMBY conflicts. To validate and enrich ENCT empirically, we employ the theory-testing process tracing approach, utilizing the case study of the Asuwei waste incineration plant as a representative case of the successful transformation of an environmental NIMBY conflict. Our findings reveal that intricate environmental NIMBY conflicts are not inherently destructive, but rather, when approached with suitable strategies, they possess the potential to be transformed into opportunities. Furthermore, environmental NIMBY conflicts can undergo transformation through the underlying mechanisms of five main categories: actor transformation, structure transformation, mode transformation, issue transformation, and situation transformation. In addition, we further link the relationship between conflict and opportunity from ten subcategories. These insights are expected to encourage environmental regulators to adopt conflict-shifted perspectives when dealing with potential environmental justice movements, thereby improving the effectiveness of environmental governance.

U.S. Military Should Not Be in My Backyard: Conjoint Experiments in Japan

The war in Ukraine has manifested the critical importance of the American alliance network and the swift and effective deployment of necessary military assets. But do citizens of the U.S. allies support the deployment of such advanced, thus controversial, military assets in their countries? To examine this question, we administered two conjoint experiments in Japan, a critical U.S. ally in Asia. The results show the Japanese citizens’ strong Not-In-My-Backyard (NIMBY) sentiment: They value the U.S.-Japan alliance per se but do not want those advanced arms (specifically, Osprey and F-35 fighter jets) to be deployed in their vicinity, particularly when the U.S. military operates them. Our study contributes to the literature on alliance politics and civil-military relations by emphasizing the importance of paying close attention to local public opposition as a potential source of instability in global military alliances.

Study on the path toward solutions for NIMBYism in China: A case study based on the qualitative comparative analysis method

With the recent economic and social development of China, there has been a growing awareness among citizens. The concept of Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) has emerged as a highly public issue, capable of sparking conflicts of interest between the public and the government. To assist the government in making well-informed decisions and respecting the interests of local residents, this study comprehensively explores the diverse factors that contribute to the varying outcomes of the NIMBY phenomenon. To achieve this, a qualitative comparative analysis with a fuzzy set (fsQCA) was conducted on 31 cases that occurred in China between 2009 and 2021. The findings reveal seven paths that would lead to the cancellation of NIMBY facilities. Among those paths, government credibility and social media involvement are the two crucial factors in NIMBY problem-solving. To some extent, violence can drive the cancellation of NIMBY projects. Local governments are more likely to compromise on NIMBY in the case of harmful facilities. However, this study emphasizes that constant compromise may not always be the most effective solution for the government. Instead, it proposes three potential approaches that can simultaneously address neighborhood satisfaction and foster local economic development in the context of NIMBYism. These approaches include the following.The construction of a multiple participant system: By involving multiple stakeholders in the decision-making process, such as local residents, government officials, experts, and industry representatives, a more inclusive and transparent approach can be adopted to address NIMBY concerns.The judicious use of online platforms: Leveraging social media and online platforms can facilitate effective communication and engagement between the government, local residents, and other relevant stakeholders. This can help in building trust, disseminating information, and encouraging dialogue to address NIMBY concerns.The popularization of science: Promoting scientific literacy among the public can help address misconceptions and fears associated with NIMBY facilities. By providing accessible and accurate information, this study suggests that the popularization of science can contribute to a better understanding of the benefits and risks associated with such facilities.By implementing these approaches, this study suggests that the government can make well-informed decisions, respect the interests of local residents, and mitigate conflicts arising from the NIMBY phenomenon while fostering local economic development.

Maximin principle, emotional aversion, and integrative judgment in the NIMBY context, including social dilemma and moral dilemma: The roles of the amygdala, angular gyrus, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex

ABSTRACTPublic facilities that have NIMBY (not in my backyard) structure involve both a social dilemma, in which individuals’ decisions to prevent the worst outcomes for themselves undermine the public interest, and a moral dilemma focused on the majority versus the minority. This study examined the cognitive-neural processes in judging whether to prioritize the site residents or the citizenry as a whole within the context of NIMBY. Our ROIs were the right angular gyrus being related to concern about the worst possible outcomes for others and oneself, the amygdala associating with emotional aversion to prioritizing the majority, and the vmPFC, which integrates the aversion into “all things considered” judgments. As a result of comparing ingroup conditions for which a NIMBY facility may make participants worst-off position and outgroup conditions for which this possibility is denied, the right angular gyrus was activated in both conditions. The amygdala was activated only in the ingroup, and the vmPFC exhibited a stronger tendency in the ingroup. We concluded that the cognitive-neural processes in judgments on NIMBY facilities are common to both decision-making to avoid the worst-off position for others and for oneself and moral judgments between the majority and the minority.

How far is it from your home? Strategic policy and management to overcome barriers of introducing fuel-cell power generation facilities

The Korean government introduced the Hydrogen Portfolio Standard for expanding hydrogen fuel-cell power plants to complement the intermittency and volatility of solar photovoltaic and wind power. As for existing power plants, the public perceives fuel cell power plants as dangerous facilities. In this study, we examined the prevalence of the "Not in My Backyard (NIMBY)" phenomenon and the effect of information provision on public acceptance of power plants based on the choice experiment incorporating consumer behavior theory. Results showed that information regarding the construction and operation of power plants is essential for alleviating the NIMBY phenomenon. In addition, by reflecting on the expected separation distance for the power generation facility, loss avoidance behavior in which people become relatively more sensitive to having the plants closer to the residence was identified. Through various analysis results, this study presents policy and management strategies securing public acceptance toward expanding fuel cell power plants.

Don't forget the locals: Understanding citizens' acceptance of bio-based technologies

Bio-based technologies such as biorefineries and aquaponics are considered key factors for the transition towards a sustainable bioeconomy, but they may fail due to a lack of public acceptance. The present study explores the level and determinants of citizens' general and local acceptance of two technologies (biorefineries and aquaponics) in two regions (a transition and a non-transition region). Furthermore, the relevance of key determinants, – more specifically social trust, affect, and perceived benefits and risks – in predicting acceptance are explored using partial-least-squares structural equation modeling. In total, 1989 participants from the transition region Rheinische Revier and other non-transition regions of the German state of North-Rhine Westphalia completed the online survey. The results show considerable consistency across the investigated contexts regarding the importance of the behavioral constructs in explaining citizens’ technology acceptance, confirming the derived conceptual framework. Our findings also reveal a lower local acceptance of both biorefineries and aquaponics when compared to general acceptance rates, pointing to the so-called NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) effect. Moreover, local acceptance was lower in the transition region, underlining the particular need for effective communication and participation strategies in those regions to successfully implement a sustainable bioeconomy.

The Logic of NIMBYism: Class, Race, and Stigma in the Making of California’s Legal Cannabis Market

This article explores how not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) sentiments affect the implementation of new cannabis laws in California cities. Despite increasing legality and growing social tolerance, the actual status of cannabis remains controversial. Large segments of the population and local authorities remain uncomfortable with the use of cannabis and resist allowing cannabis facilities in their communities. I employ statistical analysis to understand why some jurisdictions move toward more permissive cannabis policies and others do not. The results show that, on average, socially and economically prosperous cities express higher support for cannabis legalization, but cannabis businesses are more likely to receive permits in cities that are socially and economically distressed. The disparity between demand (white middle-class communities) and supply (poor Hispanic communities) demonstrates that stereotypes generated by the war on drugs have not disappeared after the passage of new cannabis laws and continue to perpetuate the marginalization of disadvantaged individuals and places.