Roads, and where to build them
If you ask me, roads should be built where people are walking in any case. A good example of this principle is Sanomatalo in Helsinki. When Sanomatalo was being planned there was a path leading diagonally through the plot where the building was to be built. Now, there is a diagonal walkway straight through the bulding, where the path use to be. Best of both worlds... and the shops in building certainly don't mind at all.
Now, take my neighbourhood as a bad example: Whenever I go to the mall, gym, or bus stop I have a road under my feet 95% of the way. But for some reason there is a spot where there is no road, a muddy slip maybe 10 meters across. I walk through there, as does everyone else. If I were to follow the roads available I'd have to do at least double the distance.
The thing I don't get is why on earth couln't they add the 10 extra meters of road so that hundreds of people wouln't have to watch out for getting their shoes all covered in mud every day? Why? I guess I should ask the people doing the planning instead of ranting here...
On another note: The US government has finally lost it. Now they're cancelling grants to open source projects since these products being created by these efforts could be used for... waaaait for it... Terrorism! Catch the riots on Slashdot...