No, the window thing is another housing suppression tactic. In New York, it is common for apartments to be illegally subdivided. It's how a lot of people live because it's affordable. I've done it. It's fine.

Stairwells are necessary. But nobody on the 57th story of a high rise is egressing externally, FDNY's ladders don't even go that high. And if you're only home at night, the window is a needless luxury. As evidenced by, when people are given a choice between more cash and a window, many choose the cash.