The available housing options govern our housing choices. I cannot afford a large flat in a very desirable and expensive neighbourhood, but I could possibly afford a very tiny flat there. If I want more space, I can live in a larger flat in a less desirable neighbourhood. If I want to own a car and have a car-centric lifestyle, I can live in a more distant suburb and live large. I can freely trade space, location, and cost as needed if the options exist. To the article's point, breaking the artificial scarcity on walkable neighbourhoods, and increasing the diversity of housing types, will allow more people to make these types of trade-offs.
