To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness.
Urban planning isn't something I think about much (I'm a rural type of person), except for streetlight design. I absolutely loathe bad fixtures that spew light into the night sky. A lot of small cities and towns in my state like to use cheap barn lights, which illuminate everything but the street.
It frequently has more impact on our lives than we think it does though. You'll be surprised how much urban sprawl has actually contributed to many issues, such as traffic congestion, car dependency, and even obesity. And yes, light pollution too.
