Communities of place vs communities of interest in the United States: Citizen information and locally unwanted land uses in EIA
The 50th anniversary of NEPA marks a pivotal shift in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). With a doubled global population and booming urbanization, EIA faces new challenges. Increased public awareness, fueled by digital access and social media, is driving broader, more vocal participation in land-use decisions. From climate change anxieties to LULU protests, EIA finds itself in a complex landscape of heightened scrutiny and diverse stakeholder engagement. This research delves into how widespread public participation at local and regional scales impacts EIA project outcomes. Exploring citizen beliefs, information access, and their influence on decision-making, it offers valuable insights for EIA theorists and practitioners navigating the future of environmental assessment in a digitally-fueled, globalized world.
