One reason why I love places like Tokyo is that they are a great example that you don't need to build that high up to get walkable neighborhoods. Just narrow the access streets, reduce excessive front & side set backs, and tell people that car parking is their own responsibility (personal property, after all); they make up about 85% of a metro, so it adds up real fast. It even works with normal single-family homes, with moderate backyards.
It's cool that we are following a bit in Japans footsteps here in New Zealand. Will take a couple decades tho.