Wrong line of work?

Sometimes I think I'm in the wrong line of work.

The City of Charlotte just unveiled its big new land-use plans, and darned if their map doesn't look suspiciously like the doodles in the margins of my notebooks.

Their plan itself is simple enough:
1: Channel the highest density development Uptown, plus around South Park and the University. They also included some scattered high-density spots throughout the city, including a large one near the airport.
2: Encourage medium-density, pedestrian-friendly development along the five new commuter-rail corridors so the rail can best serve those areas.
3: Encourage low-density, single-family development everywhere else. A great compromise for those who don't like traditional urban living, but want to have a shorter commute.

Where my plan differs:
Create a comprehensive streetcar network criscrossing the city to serve local traffic and complement the larger commuter rail system. One line has already been proposed for Central Avenue all the way up to JC Smith University. Other lines would be built along the original streetcar lines in the old suburbs, plus short lines to serve the South Park area, University City, Ballentyne and other major population/commercial centers.

Create two commuter-rail loops in the city to tie the other five lines together and serve crosstown traffic, with connections to the streetcar system. One would run approximately along the Route 4 corridor, the other about as far out as WT Harris Blvd, with a direct link to UNCC's campus. These areas would need to be designated as medium-density/pedestrian-friendly like the other corridors, with certain exceptions if necessary.

Ensure that even the lowest-density, single-family areas are pedestrian-friendly -- Much like the Roland Park and Wyndhurst neighborhoods in Baltimore. A grid of quiet, tree-lined streets with large lots, adequate sidewalks and a few scattered commercial districts designed to fit in well with the surrounding neighborhoods. More like a small town than a city.

This is the perfect remedy for transforming sprawlsville USA into a real, living, breathing city people will want to live in -- not just a place people move to because "that's where the jobs are." By providing a wide range of housing and commercial options, the city can serve the needs and preferences of many kinds of people, families and businesses.

So much for this English degree. Anyone seen my GRE practice book?