【明報專訊】“Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY) refers to opposition to new development plans or proposed public facilities from residents living in the vicinity of these facilities. Opponents are worried about the potential harmful effects, although such facilities might benefit society as a whole in the long term to such an extent that they are even indispensable. NIMBY is a phenomenon all around the world.
Sludge treatment plant × adverse effects on health
Facilities that often lead to the "NIMBY" effect are referred to as obnoxious(可憎的)facilities, and they include landfills, incinerators, nuclear plants and composting plants. Residents are worried about pollution, odours, and the adverse effects on health. They are opposed to such facilities also because they think these facilities affect the image of the neighbourhood and living standards.
T. PARK, a sludge treatment facility, was opened in May 2016. Through incineration, sludge shrinks in size by 90 percent, thus relieving pressure on landfills. The electricity generated can be used to power the facility itself as well as the public grid(公共電網). However, residents of Ha Pak Nai village have staged protests against the facility, citing the bad smells coming from the facility which they say have made residents feel dizzy and nauseous. They are worried that the facility is giving out poisonous matters that affect their health.
NIMBY × government's role
It is possible to prevent and resolve the NIMBY effect. The government can, for example, make sure that obnoxious facilities are distant from neighbourhoods through urban planning or legal means. Advanced technology can be adopted, and regulations can be improved to minimize the safety hazard. Environmental assessment can be conducted, and the public can be fully consulted.
There has been a string of protests against PX plants in China in recent years. Thanks to protests such as that staged by citizens in Maoming(茂名), Guangdong in 2014, some of the plans have been shelved. Experts believe that regional governments failed because their environmental assessment reports were not transparent, there was a lack of public participation, the general public did not possess adequate scientific knowledge, and the regional governments were lacking in credibility.
◆Yes In My Backyard
From NIMBY to YIMBY?
The NIMBY effect often results from perceived unfairness – the feeling that only residents living in the vicinity of the facility are affected. Compensation can be provided to address opposition and hopefully lead to a shift from "Not In My Backyard" to "Yes In My Backyard". The prerequisites are that the facilities meet environmental and safety standards and that the public is involved in the decision-making process. In South Korea, the government provides subsidies and rebates for people living within 300 metres of incinerators. In Taipei, rewards are given to funeral homes (殯儀館)and incinerators to promote regional development.
Related concepts:
．urban development
．neighbourliness
．reconciliation
[通通識 第484期]
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