With most residential construction its building taking place for dwelling by different homeowners with differing aspirations and budgets. Hence the diversity.
Apartment living is more generic , don't subscribe to it, however as long as it remains in the hands of private enterprise of course there is a degree of speculation.
Totally naive to believe it has ever been different in a capitalist society.
Alternative is to have the multi tower govt built slums of many other nations. Thought we were way beyond this type of housing.
