Evaluation on the implementation effect of public participation in the decision-making of NIMBY facilities

Abstract

The construction of NIMBY (Not in my backyard) facilities has caused many conflicts but is struggling to reduce it in China. With the background of public participation in social governance in the future, effective public participation is extremely helpful to solve this issue. Promoting public participation and scientifically evaluating the implementation effect of public participation are urgent problems to be solved at present. This study aims to analysis the factors hindering public participation and improve the implementation effect. Therefore, an evaluation system with 16 factors is established based on literature review and questionnaire survey, namely the basis of participation, participation process, external support, and cost-effectiveness. Interactions among the 16 factors are further evaluated by expert opinions. The objective and subjective weights of indicators are determined and combined by introducing Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) and entropy weight method (EWM). Considering the uncertainty and randomness of subjective judgment, cloud model is introduced to evaluate the implementation effect of public participation. Finally, this framework is applied to evaluate the project of Jiu Feng waste-to-energy (WTE) plant in Hangzhou, China, which verifies the applicability of the evaluation framework for the implementation effect of public participation in NIMBY facilities. The results indicate that the implementation of public participation is between "average" and "good", with significant room for improvement in the involvement of NGOs and the influence of public opinion on decision-making. Additionally, the participation process has a significant impact on the whole system. The framework can provide government departments with guidance in implementing public participation.

Research on public participation in environmental litigation: empirical evidence in China

“…Adaman et al (2011) also found that there is a positive correlation between institutional trust and public environmental protection behavior. Faced with social problems alone, the public is more likely to seek help from the government and various organizations (Zhao et al 2022). When the public believes that the government is inclined to protect individual environmental rights, they believe that the court holds the same behavioral preference and are more willing to take environmental litigation actions.…”

A sustainable solution to promote interest-based municipal solid waste management

“…Relevant studies have also analysed the current status and importance of public participation. Public participation is essential to solving NIMBY conflicts (Zhao et al 2022). Public participation and trust in administrative decision-making are crucial for getting beyond NIMBY opposition to foster public support and achieve successful siting agreements (Krause et al 2014).…”

How to Shape Local Public Acceptance of Not-in-My-Backyard Infrastructures? A Social Cognitive Theory Perspective

“…), but also those that create a sense of unhappiness, such as funeral homes, drug rehabilitation centers, prisons, etc. [9,37]. At the same time, risk-gathering NIMBY facilities are characterized by having a high risk, large scale, and being small in number, which have an obvious industrial nature.…”