That article doesn't account for lot size, which generally provides more value. It can be argued that a house surrounded on 3 sides by other houses with no outside area is less valuable.
It can be argued, but it isn't correct. I know of houses where the next house in any direction is several miles. They sell for cheap after being on the market for a long time.
People do like space, but the like cities as well. Suburbs are an attempt to compromise.
I suspect others are seeking the same type of freedom that I am, or maybe it's direct inverse.
I want freedom from the impact of other people; no more noise through the walls, smoke in the halls, or the unwanted scents from cleaning and cooking when the windows are opened for ventilation. Even renting a house I can't escape this and now there isn't one 'grounds-keeping day', it's every freaking weekend day that someone near me decides to mow their lawn.
Conversely people might like living far apart so they've got the freedom to make a mess, do things an HoA would hate (I argue HoA's exist due to lack of proper, and local, laws and enforcement). For that matter, HoAs are also something that others force as an anti-freedom.
I think what I would really like is a bunker, someplace with nice thick insulation and isolation and very good air filters. However I'd still like to be able to easily visit stores for food, so probably some kind of suburban bunker.
People do like space, but the like cities as well. Suburbs are an attempt to compromise.