CONTROVERSIAL FACILITY SITING IN THE URBAN-ENVIRONMENT - RESIDENT ANDPLANNER PERCEPTIONS IN THE UNITED-STATES

Conflict over facility siting has become increasingly common across fa cility types and neighborhoods throughout the United States. This arti cle posits that the conflict about facility siting stems from the dist inct roles played by the state (with a central role played by planners ), the shadow state (consisting of voluntary and nonprofit organizatio ns), and interest groups (primarily community residents). This article explores the similarities and differences in perception toward contro versial facilities for two of these three actors: the state (represent ed by planning directors) and interest groups (in this case, community residents). To investigate the similarities and differences between r esident and planner perceptions, this article analyzes the first natio nal survey of resident attitudes, which included both environmental an d human service facilities, and a recent national survey of planning d irectors. Implications of this analysis for understanding facility sit ing, community opposition, and planning responses are discussed.