The atomization of decision-making allows entrenched interests to disrupt progress. If you’ve ever been to a city planning meeting, you can see how NIMBY homeowners block transit upgrades or affordable housing. Sometimes consensus is impossible

Also, lots of state and local governments in the US have strong renter protections.

Lawns certainly have a role; hard to picnic or play soccer in tall fields of native grasses. Keeping a small patch as a part of ones landscaping is fine imo