This is truly THE cliché answer from an us citizen who has never seen another part of this world.
Just for your information: Europ has 700 million inhabitants on round about the same size of land as the USA, has round about 50 countries (each with their own states) with nearly as much different languages and religions/confessions.
But that doesn't really matter on that issue. What matters is how one percieves a city that has a huge impact on the quality of live.
First. How save is it to navigate through the city, not just by car but also on foot, on bike and on public transport. To give you an idea. It is quite common and normal that kids walk themselves to school, by foot, by bike and by public transport up from elementary school (there are no yellow buses like in the us, because they are not necessary).
Second thing is how close everyday things are. Can I walk to a shop, to my gym, to my favourite bakery and café, to my local park... The closer everything is, the less "friction" there is to use these services and this they can flourish. And you know what creates huge distances? Parking lots. The less cars there are, the closer and saver it is and with less friction.
Third thing is the diversity. The grater the segregation between upper and lowe income neighbourhoods, the greater is the tension within the whole city. Thus, a greater diversity reduces the tension within the city and makes it therefore more save, which enables walkability. You see where I am going.
Everything is hugely connected and no zoning law can accommodate everything and also hinders the natural developmen and evolution t of cities.
But if you have never experienced such walkable city for a longer period of time, youl never know what you are missing. But I can assure you, it was very obvious to me when I visited the US.
Walkability is king and smaller cars are far from enough to solve this huge issue north America inherited from the car and oil lobby.
l/ShitAmericansSay
Imagine a world where the value of an investment is more important than the quality of life. Would make a nice Orwell story. /s
Do you ever visited an european City?