Unbalanced urban population density gradients

People want to be close to shops and services, for excitement and convenience, and they want to be away from shops and services for quietness and enjoyment of the countryside. The exact balance of these two desires varies from person to person, but in the aggregate it is the balance of the two desires which determines the ideal gradient of housing densities in a neighbourhood. However, under present-day conditions when density gradients are usually not stable, most people are forced to live where the balance of peace and quiet with activity does not correspond to their wishes or their needs; this is because the total number of available houses and apartments at different distances is inappropriate.