The choice isn’t binary. There is a continuous spectrum of choices between dense city vs rural distance, and most people in the us and likely other developed countries already live in places with enough populations that could be better served with more walkable transit oriented design.

I’m fine with my open space in my yard in my house, that’s still walkable to a town center and train station. The yard may be small but it’s all mine (best of all, no HOA), and it helps that I can walk to parks and athletic fields, trails. My development is at the base of a “mountain” that is wilderness and includes a three mile ridge trail.

If you want bigger yards, you might need to cycle, bus or a short drive to the town center. But once you’re there, you have everything.

But the point is that even places that are not cities can benefit from more people oriented design and off more people more advantages more sustainably, and still support a range of “space” to fit different peoples needs