The missing link is the difference between 'density' and 'livability'. While attractive to developers  at the moment, clusters of 35 story condos ('anthills') with no green space, no schools nearby, no possibility of pets or out of town visitors - are hardly an attractive place to raise the next generation. Somehow European cities have found the balance. Here we have just conceded to greed, the rush to sell space to the well-heeled before the supply runs out. None of this has addressed the worthy goals proposed in the editorial like affordable housing for those service people, walkable neighborhoods, etc.  Urban planning continues to fail.