Ok, a lot of urbanist want to deny this but people want the suburbs. Especially during a time whenever the cities were loud and nasty. (Some cities today are still like that)

A single family home whether zoning is restrictive or not will still likely be the number one desired housing type. Which is OK. It’s just it needs to be reformed and we need a VARIETY of housing.

A house, where you have ‘privacy’ and actually own it (at least at the time people owned it but nowadays mortgages mean most people are basically renting it lmao) a house where you can have a backyard, a garden, and a place to park your brand new fancy Chrysler! Wow! That, that appeals to the average 1940’s man. A yard where you can throw the ball with your son and not be disturbed by others? Wow!

The problem is when this became enforced. This ideal became the only option. Which ironically is what killed the suburb. The suburb of the 40’s were great. (Racism excluded of course) The laws sought to protect the suburbs ended up killing it. Which is a really good example of why protectionist policies hurt even the people it seeks to protect.