Most of the following articles are by Debra Stein. Her firm, GCA Strategies, provides some of the best advice on how to deal with contentious land development projects. We include this material here because uncompromising Not-In-My-Back-Yard opposition to public interest projects such as low income housing and well-designed multiple housing is one of the reasons local government is reticent to work in partnership with neighbourhood groups. Ideally, public-spirited citizens will take up the challenge of confronting neighbours who begin to drift toward NIMBY opposition.

This material is also of tactical value to citizens opposed to obviously bad projects: big-box retail, toxic industry, destructive roads, sprall-making subdivisions, highrises parked on valuable waterfront.

Can't decide whether your concern about a particular land use project is NIMBYism or wholesome community involvement? Find out what a person thinks who lives somewhere else. Without hearing your views first, what does a friend or work associate think of the project? What does an expert think of the project? Architects and planners with no interest in the project are good for building evaluations. For an expert on environmental or social impacts contact a local community college.

The Ethics of NIMBYism

Listening to Neighbors and Getting Neighbors to Listen to You

Traditional Neighborhoods Without Traditional NIMBYism

Dealing With an Angry Public

When Neighbors Refuse to Negotiate

Overcoming Community Opposition

Building Community Support for Housing

Managing the Public Hearing for Maximum Impact

Concede with Caution

Charrettes: Not Always the Right Answer

Community Support - A Strategic Plan toTurn Out the Troops

Winning Building Approvals Despite Opposition

Use Opinion Research To Build Strong Communication

Get Your Foot in the Door

The Citizen's Handbook / Home / About / Table of Contents
The Citizen's Handbook / Charles Dobson / citizenshandbook.org