1) Lack of clutter, I think the VBF2 maps are generally well designed, clutter-wise. Sensible cover is good, but too much clutter looks 'deliberate' and detracts from both realism and gameplay.
2) Textures, if possible use the existing professional textures from BF2, since they look great.
3) Scale, dont be tempted to make the maps too big.
4) Routes, dont make 'mazes', make areas in the maps easily navigable.
5) Chokepoints, these are areas at which that most firefights will take place, good to have them, but ensure at least one alternative route is available.
6) Linearity, make the cap points follow a sensible trajectory through the map - perhaps along a geographical feature.
7) Vehicles, these are due to become much tougher and central to the game in V0.5 think carefull about how and where they will be used.
Open areas, mid range firefights are great fun, dont cramp people up too much.9) Realism, maps should look like real-world environments, and such environments have an internal logic.
10) Fairness, don't make one side have to run a mile to get to the first flag while the other side rides in a fleet of limos.
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btw i said constant overgrwoth adjustments cause thats what im doing right now 
