The counterweight elevator is -- by far -- the most energy efficient way for people to live and be supplied. As in, if you need to supply a few thousand people with food and services then cramming them in high rises and surrounding those with facilities in walking distance will consume the least energy. Even more efficient than moving around on bikes or trams. I do not have the book at hand where this was calculated in painstaking detail but I am not sure a human consumes less energy walking up a floor than the elevator does thanks to said counterweight.

Also, if you need to convince people to live in such circumstances then a little convenience goes rather far so that also needs to be considered.

Do not be so flippant, next time.