As much as I'd like to see an end to the clustering of businesses at every mile-wide and mile-long swath of residential development, let's at least demand that commercial developers prepare better for reduced car usage (a generally accepted goal). At the same time, we can help them make their lots more efficient with compact design.

I know that we already claim to do this, but have you ever tried walking to a recently built grocery store? Or worse, a big box store or mall? It often feels like making the treacherous choice of following a "preferred" circuitous path that appears to offer a 30% chance of being hit, versus taking the shortest distance and facing a 60% chance of being hit. Even with those odds, we always take the short cut, right?