Abstract:
When waste management infrastructure is built, there can be resistance from the local affected populations, often termed the Not
in My Backyard (NIMBY) phenomenon. This study aims to understand the forms of resistance that may develop in such contexts, focusing on 2
solid waste and 1 liquid waste management site within Mzuzu City, Malawi. At the newest solid waste site, community resistance had grown to the
extent that the site was reportedly destroyed by the local community. Interviews and observations of the sites are complemented by examining
historic and recent satellite images. It was found that, at the new solid waste site, community engagement had not been conducted effectively
prior to construction and as part of ongoing site operations. This was compounded by poor site management and the non-delivery of the promised
benefits to the community. In contrast, at the liquid waste site, the community could access untreated sludge for use as fertilizer and were
happier to live within its vicinity. While NIMBYism is a frustrating phenomenon for city planners, it is understandable that communities want to
protect their health and well-being when there is a history of mismanagement of waste sites which is sadly common in low-income settings. It is
difficult for government agencies to deliver these services and broader waste management. In this study, an unsuccessful attempt to do something
better with a legitimate goal is not necessarily a failure, but part of a natural learning process for getting things right.
