Review article

MUNICIPAL WASTE AND SOCIAL CONFLICTS

Zoran Šućur ; Faculty of Defectology, Zagreb

Abstract

The author is analysing the reasons for the appearance of and the ways of structurising conflict situations caused by the problems of safe disposal of waste. The structure of NIMBY syndrome has been studied first (the syndrome basically expresses the attitude: nobody wants a road or even a factory, not to speak of a city dump in one's vicinity) as well as a „blame“ that accompanies the setting off of the conflicts; the results of the study of a particular conflict situation in Zagreb area are discussed in the article as well (Mraclin case).
The NIMBY syndrome has been explained as a combination of sociological, psychological and economic factors and, in fact, it represents a natural reaction of the citizens to the real or possible endangering of the community. Apart from that, NIMBY, is pointing to the significance of social factors in managing the waste.
The basic problem of Zagreb are numerous, unorganized dumps which do not satisfy the basic sanitary and technical requirements and are, thus, representing the danger to the health of humans and purity of subterranean waters. The analyses of the Mraclin case make it obvious that there exists a high sensitivity of the citizens to the problems of safe disposal of the waste; the case points to the non-existence of a complete and consistent approach to the problem of the safe disposal of municipal waste. The present day approach is marked by the inadequate quantity of given information, by the insufficient participation of the citizens in the very process of establishing ways of safe disposal of waste, and, finally, by the absence of compensation models.

Keywords

compensation; conflicts; municipal waste; NIMBY syndrome; risks; social justice; waste facilities

Hrčak ID:

138899

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/138899

Publication date:

15.10.1992.

Article data in other languages: croatian german

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