Is density just a fashion?

“It is possible that density is a fashion.” Anon

It is also possible that low density is a fashion. Indeed this would seem from the evidence to be a much greater possibility. 

Look at the urban record. The last hundred years has seen endless experimentation with urban form and people’s lives – almost always low density solutions, creating disconnected places where people can’t walk, can’t access public transport and are therefore car dependent.

Let’s drop the pretence.