I think another problem the US suffers from is that everything is up for sale. The state doesn't reserve area's for the public good very often.
Wouter
Wouter, as a generalization this is a huge misconception. I find the number and size of forest preserves and state and national parks here really quite impressive. And I also see local government strongly involved in community development activities. It's true that waterfront public space may not as well protected as some other countries, but your generalization just isn't true.
