Urban Economics

NIMBYism

An acronym for "Not In My Back Yard," referring to opposition by residents to proposed real estate, infrastructure, or development projects in their local area, even if they agree with the need for such projects generally.

Curated by Enzo Simier.

Why it matters

The term matters because it captures the gap between abstract support for growth and concrete resistance to nearby change. It is especially useful in arguments about housing supply, infrastructure bottlenecks, and local veto power.

Notes

The label can illuminate a real pattern, but it can also oversimplify local concerns by treating every objection as selfish or irrational. The most interesting debates are often about where genuine externalities end and exclusionary politics begin.