Many cities formed as a result of useful geography. In the UK, at least, that reason is often water-based transport. These locations meant that large scale transport of goods was practical, as well as the ability to have all of the resources necessary to sustain large populations in those areas.
In the modern day, at least in the UK, cities are much less practical. Getting anywhere in them is a pain - road links are too busy, rail is extortionate and over-subscribed. And why are they so busy and expensive? Because everyone has to do it. Why? Because that’s where the high paying companies are. Why? Because the way it has always been done. Why? Because… the place has links to good waterways?
And what do you do when you get there? The same damn thing you’d do at home, but in a noisier and less comfortable environment. You can speak to the same people you could huddle with in Slack, except there’s no mute button. You’re bombarded with a brightly lit, white, open plan room, which could only ever have been popularised by people who don’t understand what a productive environment actually is.
Like many on here, because we have a certain affinity for the tech sector, I have ADHD. I am extremely productive when I’m in an environment that allows me to shut out everything else and focus on what I need to do. Working from home unleashed a level of productivity I wasn’t aware that I was capable of, and once you’ve got that buzz - you aren’t going to let go of it without resistance.