I'm not sure why "less auto dependence [would mean] less suburbs." Here's one alternative: If we get rid of cars in cities, have commuter rail from the city to

I'm not sure why "less auto dependence [would mean] less suburbs." Here's one alternative: If we get rid of cars in cities, have commuter rail from the city to each surrounding suburb, and allow cars in the suburb? Then... there you go. This is called a "hub and spoke" pattern iirc There are plenty of suburbs in the US that operate like this— where most people who work in the city commute via rail, but most families also have cars, and there is a spread-out spacious feel (some towns in NJ come to mind).