A window on the 30th floor certainly isn't an escape route but the requirement does still enforce certain standards that in turn promote fire safety. A window means that every bedroom must be on an exterior wall. That simple rule means one cannot build huge warren-like buildings filled with tiny interior apartments, which would be an evacuation nightmare. The rule also forbids bedrooms deep underground.

Yes, this does make apartments more expensive but so does every rule that sets a minimum construction standard.

This isn't a rule everywhere. I have the largest and most windows I've ever had in an apartment and my bedroom is in the interior. I actually find it nice, no need for black out curtains, I can easily nap during the day.

My apartment is fitted with multiple sprinklers, which I assume gets it up to code.

Nor are fire escapes and sprinklers mandatory everywhere. Each local has its own standards but nobody should ever argue for a race to the bottom, that because some area doesn't do X that another area should follow that example just to lower costs.

As long as you maintain safety, more options aren’t a race to the bottom. People take cruise vacations on indoor cabins without windows demonstrating it isn’t a problem for a significant percentage of the population.