Assessment of the effects of various social amenities on a neighbourhood

Abstract

In a society, some amenities have special features. These amenities are socially beneficial but when it comes to locating them in a community, they are undesirable by local residents and the siting of it is controversial. The reason behind is there are some worries from residents on these amenities. This study aims at analyzing how some controversial land uses, for example, the Integrated Community Centre for Mental Wellness (ICCMW) and Methadone Clinics affects the daily life of residents in the neighbourhood. Also, there are different characteristics for different amenities including facility, users, personal and neighourhood. The perception of the residents on the characteristics of these controversial amenities will be analyzed. The not in my backyard (NIMBY) syndrome will be used to explain why residents oppose sitting of some controversial land uses in the neighbourhood. Although most citizens agree the benefits of these land uses bring to our society, citizens are unwilling to let these land uses to sit at their own neighbourhood. Case study on ICCMW and Methadone Clinic and online questionnaire will then be used to examine how the daily life of residents will be affected by these land uses and to investigate how the NIMBY syndrome exists. The viewpoints of different stakeholders in the land use planning and consultation process will be analyzed, so their thoughts and worries can be addressed. Furthermore, the roles of planners and existing government guidance on planning will be introduced. This study will further analyze and review the existing mechanisms of consultation and advise the government on how to improve the procedure on siting of controversial land uses and involve different stakeholders. Some suggestions will be provided to the government thereafter.