high-rise urban housing in the next, I feel like slamming my head on the wall.

Why does urban housing have to be high-rise?  Most European cities have higher population densities than their American counterparts, yet high-rise buildings are not permitted.  I tend to agree that it would ruin the historic nature (i.e. soul) of a city.

Maybe if Americans were not so insistent on living in single-family homes, rather than in apartments...