There is a place between sprawl and skyscrapers: 4-6 story buildings are considered ideal by city planners (IIRC) because you get pretty good density (i.e. low

There is a place between sprawl and skyscrapers: 4-6 story buildings are considered ideal by city planners (IIRC) because you get pretty good density (i.e. low distance to work/shopping and so on) while still feeling familiar (you know your neighbours, there are public spaces to hang out on or do sports etc.). Copenhagen ist built almost completey like that and has a population of about 800k. It feels great: Quite urban, with many cafés and small shops, while still feeling friendly and human. Much of Berlin is also like that.