If you have 18 minutes, you should watch this Amanda Burden: How public spaces make cities work TED Talk:

Amanda Burden is the former director of the New York City Department of City Planning and chair of the City Planning Commission under Mayor Mike Bloomberg. If you ignore the semi-hagiographic retelling of the massive rezoning under Mayor Bloomberg, you can hear some really interesting quotes. Overall her presentation says exactly the right things:

• “How might we create successful, meaningful public spaces”
• “Details make a difference because we are bodies in space.”
• “You can’t fake understanding of the neighborhood.”
• “You have to have faith in plans.”
• “Tap into your humanity, not your expertise.”

The last quote, I take would have to challenge: I agree that you have to tap into your inner humanity, and be person centered in your design. But to not listen to your expertise is to remove an important tool which can help your fellow humanity.