He understands that they got it wrong before, but unfortunately that isn't enough to save them, because the space of possible mistakes is so large, and city governments are predisposed to hit most of them. E.g. the fact that they are pwned by large scale developers means that the next iteration will basically be condo towers turned on their sides: a sea of shorter buildings with just as little real character.

    But jealous of our god of dreams,
    His common-sense in secret schemes
          To rule the heart;
    Unable to invent the lyre,
    Creates with simulated fire
       Official art.