Assuming these conspiracy theorists actually exist, there's an easy way to prove them wrong without pejorative-laden propaganda pieces like this: make one of these cities that people will actually want to live in.

I worked hard to move out of the city and have some space. I took the tradeoff in accessibility in exchange for the financial and personal freedom that allows. Build a higher density city where housing prices don't make me work another 10 years, and is free from crime, high taxes, noise, and overbearing laws, and I'll be happy to move back.

Being able to walk to a restaurant is great and all, but isn't worth the tradeoff currently. It's not even close, I'd say.