Nimby Yimby: Building Vibrant Urban Communities

Housing

Urban areas worldwide are grappling with the pressing need for increased housing. While it may seem like a simple matter of building more homes, the reality is far more nuanced. Enter the terms "Nimby" and "Yimby," two sides of the same coin in the housing debate.

Politics and Resistance

Nimby, an acronym for "Not In My Backyard," represents the resistance often encountered when proposing new developments, especially in established neighbourhoods. It’s often put-down as resistance to change, but is more likely to be concerned with impacts on neighbourhood, amenity, and quality.

On the flip side, Yimby, or "Yes In My Backyard," advocates for more development, streamlining approval processes by removing red bureaucratic tape and reducing objector influence. They strongly advocate for increased density as a means to address growing demand and housing affordability.

Multi-faceted

However, it's crucial to recognize that housing supply and affordability are multi-faceted issues. Factors like land prices, regulatory processes, and capital flows all play a role in shaping urban landscapes. Simply adding more units doesn't necessarily solve the problem. It requires consideration of the broader ecosystem in which homes exist. At the local level there are issues of proximity to jobs and shops, amenity, context, neighbourhood and community, all equally important factors in the creation of vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive neighbourhoods and cities.

Red Tape and Planning

One major hurdle in addressing housing needs is the bureaucratic red tape that comes with the planning and development processes. In Victoria, the State government provides oversight and policy directions, while planning schemes provide strategic and local frameworks. These include a range of goals including environmental, economic, housing, heritage and transport, while the local framework tends to be more site-specific.

Local governments normally assess proposed developments, with disputes determined through VCAT (Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal), guided by their interpretation of the planning scheme. This often requires a of balancing act between competing objectives and context.

Holistic Solutions for Sustainable Communities

Ultimately, the goal must be to create communities where people can thrive. To achieve vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive cities, we need greater vision supported by a broad social licence. A more balanced Nimby and Yimby perspective, that enables us to work towards building cities where everyone has access to quality homes, in the right locations, that foster belonging and opportunity for all.