The term ‘NIMBY’ – an acronym for ‘Not In My Back Yard’ – has become the preferred slur of politicians, both left and right, who wish to caricature those opposing the rampant over-development of their communities as selfish, immoral, and elitist. This is a slander that must come to an end.
Firstly, let us dispense with the notion that there is something inherently wrong with wanting to preserve the character of one’s community. As more politicians bend the knee to the interests of property developers – either to fill their campaign coffers or to avoid having those coffers deployed against them – our towns and cities are increasingly losing their essence. What were once vibrant communities are now becoming indistinguishable labyrinths of gravel, pavement, glass, and steel. Once bathed in sunlight and privacy, suburban homes are now overshadowed by towering, lifeless structures where strangers can peer into living areas and backyards.
It is a lamentable state of affairs when politicians have so lost their perspective on the importance of aesthetics and community living that they would insult their own voters for wanting to keep their communities intact. There was a time when the architecture and layout of a community reflected a respect for the dignity of its inhabitants. Buildings were designed not just to house people but to elevate the human spirit. Today, however, we are increasingly herded into soulless pods, a testament to a society that has lost its sense of the sacred.
Contrast this with the architecture of yesteryear, where even mundane tasks took place in halls echoing human dignity. These were not mere structures but temples to the human spirit, adorned with murals and intricate carvings. They stood as a testament to a society that valued beauty and elegance for all, not just the privileged few. This traditional architecture harmonised form and function, reminding us we are part of something greater and transcendent. In those walls and stones, the sacredness of community and individuality was recognised.
Politicians who resort to the NIMBY slur are often too cowardly to address the real issues underpinning the housing crisis in their communities. They would have you believe that the only solution to a lack of accommodation is to build, build, build, regardless of the consequences for community character or individual well-being.
But what of the over 50 per cent of new housing stock consumed by international students? What of the trend of investors and financial organisations outbidding families to create a new underclass of eternal renters? And what of the enormous burden of green tape that has made constructing even a simple three-bedroom home a Byzantine ordeal requiring entire compliance departments? These questions demand answers, but they are risky topics for politicians who would rather not bite the hands that feed them.
So, instead, they insult you. They call you a NIMBY, labelling your desire to maintain your community appalling. They do this to distract from their own moral failings – their failure to stand up to developers, their failure to address the root causes of housing shortages, and their failure to respect the dignity and wishes of their constituents.
It is high time we called out the NIMBY slur for what it is: a corporatist assault on our community, aesthetics, and individual dignity.
Emilio Garcia is a political consultant and owner of Overton Solutions.
