In Britain after WWII there was a severe housing shortage and the solution they came up with was “row houses” basically large apartment blocks. The genius part of this was along with this you also got an allotment. A small parcel of land where you could garden and enjoy the outdoors.
Personally I think countless 3-5 storey steel-concrete multi-unit buildings are preferable from density, comfort (sound and heat insulation) and durability standpoint.