Over-Designed and Over-Thought

Often times I have wondered if our world today is over designed. Especially in Urban environments, things usually seems so meticulously planned and executed it leaves no room for variety, spontaneity and freedom. I've enjoyed learning about instances where this mold has been broken such as Coney Island or the idea of the Downtown Athletic club. While some aspects of these environments my be unrealistic or simply impractical the idea is striking. Is there a way that we as architects can continue to provide this flexibility with our design and avoid the rigid and boring landscape we so often create today?