It's also not true. Thick walls do wonders (eg, old apartment buildings in Germany are very quiet). It's only a problem with cheap construction.
Need to mention the punishments and fines in Germany for making noise. Switzerland has even more strict rules (and very angry neighbours, I assume).
There also are cultural norms and/or enforcement around stuff like loud cars or trucks. I visited Asian cities recently and did not notice offensive noise. No crazy/rowdy yelling people, quiet buses.
I slept in quieter neighborhoods but they were still dense.
I do actually imagine a rough transition period for some in denser housing in places like America and Australia. I don't think we quite have the outward thoughtfulness as a societal norm, that makes it work in some cultures.