I haven't yet been to the UK, so I can't comment directly on the state of things there. But I grew up in a rural town in USA, and I have traveled to communities large and small across the USA and other countries, including one of my favorites to visit- Japan. In my experience, dense cities don't have to be miserable to the majority of people. I still live in what would be considered a small city, though not nearly as small as the one I grew up in. The city I live in could definitely see significant growth and increased density while maintaining the qualities that make it unique and special. But it would take a lot more planning and vision than what I have seen from current political leaders.