That ain't it, if anything we should be enforcing those rules more than we currently do. We absolutely have enough land to fix the housing crisis with just mid-density buildings and the premium for a more livable city is worth it. Boston should look to Paris for inspiration, not New York City.

The real answer is to upzone large swaths of land near public transit to allow for 5-6 story housing with first floor retail, aka what literally everyone wants. Try walking along Beacon Street from the public garden to Coolidge Corner for example, it's one of the densest housing corridors in the state but it feels extremely livable, on account of setbacks, rules for architectural styles, and limits to around 6 stories. Upzoning neighborhoods like Mission Hill, Allston, Cambridgeport, Central Square, and Kendall Square to this style would put a massive dent into housing demand and create ideal urban life.

Sure, build a few high rises in central districts, but too many of those just aren't desirable. Downtown Boston is about to renovate a bunch of former office towers to housing anyways and that should fill most of the demand for that particular kind of housing.