What: Not-in-my-back-yard (NIMBY) is a defensive reaction by community residents to unwanted land uses for a specific property. Locally unwanted land uses (LULUs) are often facilities with perceived or potential negative health impacts or that provide some kinds of stigmatized social services.

Good or bad? Some observers have described NIMBY responses to LULU proposals as motivated by self-interest (such as concern with property values) that rarely represent the view of the entire community. Others have suggested that NIMBY responses demonstrate democracy, give the community a voice and result in better decision-making.

Why? Fears found to drive NIMBY responses include health risks, decline in property values, inability to prevent future LULUs, decline of quality of life, tainted image of community, strain on community services and budgets, and aesthetic degradation.

Matters of trust: Residents may be more likely to oppose a LULU if they distrust the attitudes, motives and honesty of others involved. If the LULU siting process is perceived as unfair, intense conflict may ensue.

Source: Carissa Schively Slotterback, University of Minnesota