One of the things I really like about Vancouver's architecture, which I assume is a result of zoning, is that while there are tall apartment buildings for density, they aren't all bunched close together creating narrow dark cold streets with no views. You'll have a small number of stories near the wide streets, and then a big setback before there's a 20-story tower. It all feels open and approachable as a pedestrian, but there's decent density.
This is def a direct intention of the city planners. Despite being in one of the warmest parts of Canada, it still has long dark winters due to its latitude. "Point Towers" are a way to maximize light and also to provide peak a boo views of the mountains.
I think I agree in part, but part of this that I take issue with, is that it takes what would otherwise be publicly accessible land, and rises it up off the street for people who only live in the towers. This has its own miserable effect on the streetscape, because I really don't think that people in those buildings actually use those spaces, and the land could be much more effectively used.
I'd love to see similar maps for other cities.