Publication Date

Spring 1995

Degree Type

Master's Project

Degree Name

Master of Urban Planning (MUP)

Department

Urban and Regional Planning

Abstract

This report explores the challenge of implementing affordable and low-income housing in the face of organized community opposition, specifically the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) phenomenon. While local governments mandate public participation, these processes are frequently co-opted by residents seeking to exclude specific social groups or inflate property values, often resulting in the derailment of viable housing projects. To overcome these barriers, the study argues that urban planners must proactively manage the participation process by educating citizens on their community responsibilities, mediating conflicts, and distinguishing genuine public concerns from exclusionary tactics. The report outlines the theoretical and legal frameworks of citizen involvement, examines housing policies and demographic patterns in the City of Santa Clara, and analyzes the 1994 Santa Clara County Housing Authority proposals as a case study. Ultimately, the research provides actionable Citizen Participation Guidelines to help local governments design orchestrated, inclusionary strategies that foster compromise and successfully deliver affordable housing.

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