![](https://www.cnu.org/sites/default/files/styles/public_square_feature_image/public/visual-pref%3Dsurvey-Nelessen-lafayette.jpg?itok=AQXGEYmC)
Visual preference survey, Montgomery, Alabama.
Breaking the NIMBY impasse with design
ROBERT STEUTEVILLE    SEP. 7, 2018
A recent The New York Times article The Bipartisan Cry of 'Not in My Backyard' reporting on opposition from across the political spectrum to higher-density housing, failed to mention a crucial point, says Nathan Norris, founding principal of the CityBuilding Partnership.
"What is missing in the discussion is the role of design in charging attitudes," says Norris, "Of course people are going to be against increased development when increased development has primarily made communities worse for the past 60 years."
In Montgomery, Alabama, a visual preference survey was conducted by Tony Nelessen. Well-designed, higher-density housing scored far higher on the survey. See above for the results of one comparison.