Calling large, cookie-cutter homes in formulaic subdivisions "the architectural equivalent of transfats", writer Allison Arieff states that we should be less concerned about how much housing we build, and more concerned about how our homes and communities are designed.

First and foremost, she argues that we should stop designing for cars - homes and communities should be designed for human patterns of use, including the ability to walk to nearby amenities.

Her other major point is that sustainablity must be built into our projects, not slapped on as an afterthought. Not only is access to green building information more widely available than ever before, but fixes such as reducing the square footage of new homes can make a huge difference.

When you talk about homes and personal choice, it's sure to generate quite a discussion - check out the 87 comments for a fascinating read.