If You Build It...Do It Elsewhere

The economy does some strange things to people.

Sometimes, it makes them a bit more practical, if not confused.

In a new study, 68% of people are now “more likely to support new projects in their hometown in light of the current economic situation,” a 10% increase from 2006.

Agent Genius discusses the flux of NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) attitudes within this recession.

Of course, not all development is created equal and not all NIMBYS are just Negative Nancies wanting to halt progress. What some see as progress (a new Wal-Mart), others see as decline (boarded up main street shops thanks to said Wal-Mart).

What's interesting, though is that, while the overall population is more receptive to large commercial projects, "three out of four Americans...believe their city or town is already over-developed or fine the way it is", according to Patrick Fox, president of The Saint Consulting Group who did the study.

So, most are okay with building new projects, but more still think that their towns are perfect just the way they are. How...ambiguous.

Still, for a nation currently breaking up roads due to budget cuts, it seems that perhaps new commercial development isn't what we need so much as new infrastructure developments.

Better roads, along with more transportation options, could go a long way in improving streets, neighborhoods, cities and our country as a whole, as long as the NIMBYS understand that their backyards may have to change for such progress to take place.

Progress, of course, is tricky, and some don't see the benefits of it until they experience it for themselves (very much like DotLoop).

It will be interesting to see where our priorities go once the economy gets its strength back. Let's home that when the next development boom happens, we develop for our sidewalks as well as our new retail stores.