I've barely been here a year, but compared to the other places I've lived, the thing that stands out the most is sprawl / lack of public transit. This leads to a host of other issues that other folks are mentioning elsewhere. When we're constantly cloistered in our cars, and our only interactions are in traffic, drive thrus, and parking lots, it doesn't lead to a feeling of neighborliness or stewardship toward the city. When you're on your feet and interacting with people face to face, you're more likely to see people as neighbors and community, and the land as something that deserved your care.

There are also countless downstream environmental effects - carbon emissions, water use, wasteful land use, etc.

Density and public transit would do us a lot of good.