High-density living : the wave of the future?

I think it's safe to say that gasoline prices will, adjusted for inflation, continue to rise for the forseeable future. By the time I graduate from medical school, my conservative estimate is that we will, at the very least, see 12 bucks for a gallon of gas. This is the problem with nonrenewable sources of energy and everyone should have seen the high prices of today coming. We have two options: continue to scrimp and save so we can fill up our cars or fundamentally change the way we live.

Outside of pursuing renewable sources of energy or using nuclear power, America may have to abandon the prototypical "sprawling city" model. What this explicitly means is Manhattanization of cities outside of New York. Communal high-rises and multi-use buildings will become en vogue as we cope with higher energy costs. A perfect example in Chicago is the building at Lake Shore and Huron, which boasts living residences, a grocery store, a salon, a coffee shop, a hardware store,dry cleaning store, etc. In short, anything you need is within the building and does not require a car to accomplish daily errands. This is, I'm convinced, the wave of the future in this country.

It will be an unenviable task to coax Americans to give up the "big house and a yard" dream, but the energy costs and maintenance associated with suburban living are catching up to the average American. In 20 years, the American dream may only be attainable to those who make well into six figures, in urban areas seven figures. The only previous obstacle to this reality was the American anathema to high-density living and its purported association with crime and poverty. As that preconceived notion becomes quashed, hopefully Americans turn to the Europeans and how they coped with high energy costs. They have managed to maintain a high standard of living, so why can't we?