In Australia they're building a large number of inner city, and suburban apartments, and indeed they are doing what you suggest it seems - making rents affordab

In Australia they're building a large number of inner city, and suburban apartments, and indeed they are doing what you suggest it seems - making rents affordable, and even purchase if you like. there are a lot of people that are against living in apartments - mainly older, but it works, and seems like a solution in Europe. The great thing about apartments is they create a close hub of people that can then be served with public transport, large suburbs you have to have a car.