Replication Data for: Understanding Nimbyism as Local Preservationism

Responding to important societal challenges often requires physical changes in local communities. Yet such changes frequently encounter strong “not-in-my-backyard” (nimby) opposition. Existing research typically attributes nimbyism to homeowners’ efforts to protect property values or to exclude low-income residents and racial minorities. We argue instead that nimbyism is better explained by a widespread desire to preserve the physical character of one’s neighborhood. To explore this argument, we conduct a large-scale vignette survey experiment in which respondents evaluate a hypothetical project placed on a personalized map of their neighborhood. Our analyses reveal that most residents have strong feelings about the appearance of their local area, and those without such attachments exhibit significantly less nimby opposition. We also find that citizens express less nimby opposition towards housing projects that fit in with the surrounding built environment. By contrast, we find limited evidence for explanations rooted in concerns about property values or social exclusion.