Complexity Review of NIMBY Conflict: Characteristics, Mechanism and Evolution Simulation

Abstract

In the process of modernization and urbanization, some government projects or facilities with negative externalities have caused the psychology of residents nearby to “Not in My Backyard” (NIMBY). That is, adopting strong and resolute, sometimes highly emotional collective opposition or even resistance behavior. This triggered a NIMBY conflict. From the perspective of Complexity, this study re-examines the characteristics and evolution mechanism of NIMBY conflict and draws the following conclusions: (1) NIMBY conflict is a complex system that interacts between multiple subjects and the environment; (2) Adaptability is the driving force for the evolution of NIMBY conflict. Through detectors, regularizers, and effectors, NIMBY subjects can be encouraged to gradually adapt to changes in the external environment and maximize their own interests; (3) In NIMBY conflict, the government conflict response method is more important than the intervention time. Residents’ communication efficiency and connection probability will affect residents’ behavior choices. The lower the residents’ communication efficiency, the less likely it is to form a NIMBY conflict.

Architectural and Urban Changes in a Residential Environment—Implications for Design Science

“…The problem of changing neighbourhoods and adaptive difficulties became apparent with the rise of the NIMBY (Not in My Backyard) movement. Studies have shown that how one responds is significantly more important than how long it takes to respond to conflict [96]. Orchowska proposes an approach to redefining residential space that preserves emotional values, creative intentions of modernized areas, and semantic values [97].…”