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Rob, I think it's simpler than that (and hence why I don't buy your distinction): people oppose change, period. It's not a rational decision, but it is (at least in their mind) a risk-averse one which is really the fundamental issue of NIMBYism that Avent mentions.

What's missing is the alternative: Some people oppose local development because it will raise costs, or because they won't benefit from the increase in aggregate supply. That might be true. But if the development doesn't happen and the neighborhood remains in demand, their rents will rise anyway. That's what is commonly missing from a NIMBY mindset. It misses on the dynamism of any urban place by assuming that the status quo can be maintained, and that not changing will maintain an equilibrium. That's a false assumption.

To your larger point, if you're trying to say that Avent's argument that more housing on the regional level is necessary won't be a convincing argument to a local NIMBY, I don't disagree. I don't think Avent would, either. You're not likely to convince NIMBYs on a case-by-case basis. The problem isn't really one of individuals who are opposed, but one of policy. If those opposed can shape policy (as they have in our history), then we get restrictive policies. Avent's work aims to inform the policy makers to try and add some relief valves into the system to provide that regional perpsective to help balance out those local concerns.

Think of something like a zoning budget, for example: http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/04/27/200745/balancing-the-zoning-budget/ You don't argue to the local, neighborhood opposition to adopt a zoning budget, you go to the city and convince them with your data on aggregate.

As for addressing neighborhood-level concerns, you'd also need a broader set of tools to manage change (that's where something like IZ comes in, and the devil's in the details) - but we have to fight back against the idea that stopping development counts as management of change.

by Alex B. on Sep 21, 2011 12:59 pm • link • report