Development and Smart Growth- musings

So I get the smart growth concept... and I understand the thinking around transit oriented development but I have to question some of the underlying assumptions.
1) Why do we need to have development at all? Why not redevelopment... reinvigorating our cities for example or some of the industrial towns.

2) Mass transit is wonderful. I am a strong proponent and really enjoyed when I worked in center city and took the train each day. Arrived at work refreshed, up to date on the news and ready to get down to work. BUT, the mass transit has to work for folks, it has to be able to get you to where you want to go. So how do transit oriented developments work without transit?

3)Often the "condos" that are part of the development are touted to be for empty nesters however the pricing doesn't compute for me. As an empty nester, if I were to sell my current home and more to a condo my goal would be to have excess funds as an outcome of the transaction to put towards my retirement. Even in Radnor, with our high property values, this goal is barely obtainable given the prices proposed.

4)Public benefits associated with these developments are often not properly evaluated since they are seen as "gifts" and in some cases they are the first victim of budget cuts.

5)Elected officials can be led astray by the potential income from the rate-ables associated with the project thus warding off tax increases.