I live in Germany since quite some years , and what you say its not entirely true . Most Germans would like to live in a house , but they know this is unpractical , also in todays world , with the technology available today it is not environmentally ethical nor responsible , therefore they just not do it , and seek for cities to not develop that way . In European cultures is not much what you want what matters , but what has to be done , and even thoyou dont entirely like it you just have to do it . Also I find American cities very exclusive to those who dont own a car almost as if you became a second class citizen in the country , and that is not efficient . Cities like the ones in the US , should allow BIG amounts of people move from point A to point B as you say , yet those in the US do it in the least efficient way . That said , I dont think you should be an urban geek to state this . It is just a current reality in urban environments around the planet .