Originally Posted by jon c.

But the real changes are marginal and certainly aren't fundamental changes to age old model.

Sure, we're doing a bit better at controlling some of the more hideous aspects of poorly planned growth than we were 40 years ago, but not in any way that will radically alter the landscape in the foreseeable future.

I don't think making cities larger is really the answer. And they will continue to grow more out than up as urbanization if fine for youth but they're going to move out as they breed. I'd prefer to see the small towns revived and increased in size by manageable degrees. Linked to larger cities by high speed rail. Technology has changed what we need in our living arrangements and I think we should start planning for that rather than just rearranging what we've been doing for centuries. But as I said, on reflection I realize that isn't going to happen. We are just going to keep doing the same thing. So you're probably correct that we should just cheer when we do it a bit better.