Most people in the US aren't used to car-free cities unless they've traveled abroad. It's not something you realize until you experience it first hand.
I figure I misunderstand your comment, since it sounds so off-the-wall, but according to this article (referenced by OP): https://www.vox.com/a/new-economy-future/cars-cities-technol... , 50-60% of many cities' real estate is devoted to automobiles. So "nothing to do with cars" seems more accurately written as "almost entirely to do with cars." The same is true for having a quiet alone space, based on my experience. Cars are the problem.