I disagree with the assertion that NA cities are beyond saving. I think they can be saved, but it will require a few things:

1. Acceptance of a shift in priorities from road infrastructure into public transit
2. With 1 above an acceptance that this is also likely to result in higher taxes in the short term to further subsidize transit and encourage people to take this mode of transport
3. Leadership that is actually interested in achieving the above, this also means that regional planning is taken into account so that multiple municipalities are all working together to get to the end goal