Location, Location, Location: Selecting Sites for Controversial Facilities

The Singapore Economic Review, Vol. 53, No. 1, pp. 145-172, 2008

28 Pages Posted: 10 Nov 2009 Last revised: 23 Aug 2010

See all articles by Daniel P. Aldrich

Daniel P. Aldrich

Northeastern University - College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Security and Resilience Program

Date Written: April 1, 2008

Abstract

While a large literature exists on the siting of controversial facilities, few theories about spatial location have been tested on large samples. Using a new dataset from Japan, this paper demonstrates that state agencies choose localities judged weakest in local civil society as host communities for controversial projects. In some cases, powerful politicians deliberately seek to have facilities such as nuclear power plants, dams and airports placed in their home constituency. This paper then explores new territory: how demographic, political and civil society factors impact the outcomes of siting attempts. It finds that the strength of local civil society impacts the probability that a proposed project will come to fruition; the greater the concentration of local civil society, the less likely state-planned projects will be completed.

Keywords: Spatial location, controversial facilities, nuclear power plant, airport, dam, civil society, Japan, NIMBY

Suggested Citation

Aldrich, Daniel P., Location, Location, Location: Selecting Sites for Controversial Facilities (April 1, 2008). The Singapore Economic Review, Vol. 53, No. 1, pp. 145-172, 2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1503726

Daniel P. Aldrich (Contact Author)

Northeastern University - College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Security and Resilience Program ( email )

360 Huntington Ave,
Boston, MA 02115
United States

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