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There are 2 big obstacles we need to overcome. The first is corporate ownership of residential property. This needs to go away.
The second big issue, we need to build higher density housing, and get rid of the enormous parking spaces that take up our downtowns. Not everyone needs a house. And you can absolutely build medium density housing that doesn't feel cramped. Sure, living in an apartment is not perfect, but you are closer to the places you want to go, and public transportation is more feasible. It's a win-win for everyone.
The problem with high density housing is that the quality is shit. The quality is shit with lower density housing too, but things like thin walls in apartments goes a long way to people wanting to join in the sprawl. Developers fight tooth and nail against any regulations that are focused on QOL or environmental improvements (like "passive house" standards) and promise that they will make it cost far more than necessary if they are so burdened.
Sounds like the solution is to nationalize a good chunk of the home construction industry and run it at cost
Ultimately, change will only happen when the institutions start listening to the people. But we know that won't happen as long as corporations can buy out and bribe the institutions meant to regulate them.
People need cars. No matter how good public transport is, people need cars. It's all well and good to live in an apartment in the city without a car and just go to work in the city etc, but the second you need to go somewhere outside the city public transport takes significantly longer and the cost adds up. When you add more apartments you cause parking problems, which cause traffic problems.
If 70% of your transportation needs are met by public transport and bycicles, I think that's a huge win. I agree, cars are very useful, especially when traveling longer distances or carrying heavy things. But if 70% of the time your car is not on the road creating traffic, and the same applies to everyone in the city, your traffic problems are greatly reduced.
Regarding parking, there are solutions to that problem, like underground parking, or large parking spaces at the edge of the city (like they have in Amsterdam).
The issue with big car parks is price though, they charge an absolute fortune. In my city if you want to park for a whole day you’re paying >$100.