Where I lived in Brooklyn, the limit (and most common height) was 12 story. I did not feel any visible difference in "connection" and IMHO connection is more about community institutions which drive the connections.
I can give several examples of what I think were the connective tissue of the neighborhood:
We had an awesome food cooperative https://www.foodcoop.com/, a playground, a fro-yo place with outdoor seating, a YMCA, and numerous cafes. These days there is a recreation center.
Now, there is a different problem -- housing is expensive. When you have a huge mortgage, you spend more time at work, more time worrying about work, and less time enjoying life. That isnt the fault of the buildings, it is more about restrictive housing policy and multi-decade-ZIRP.
I can give several examples of what I think were the connective tissue of the neighborhood: We had an awesome food cooperative https://www.foodcoop.com/, a playground, a fro-yo place with outdoor seating, a YMCA, and numerous cafes. These days there is a recreation center.
Now, there is a different problem -- housing is expensive. When you have a huge mortgage, you spend more time at work, more time worrying about work, and less time enjoying life. That isnt the fault of the buildings, it is more about restrictive housing policy and multi-decade-ZIRP.