Beside density, you are also concerned with notions from traditional Chinese architecture and city, such as square plan, courtyard, etc. If you look at Chinese and Asian cities, you will find the lack of clear traditional urban structures. The entire city is divided by enclosed walls along streets. And the city only opens up behind these walls and in the courtyards. However, this introverted quality is at odds with the modern life style and openness demanded by the highly developed commercial society.
Courtyard house migrates to the less-dense new suburbs.
It is ironic in certain way. There is the tendency for a Chinese city to spread and to create suburbs in order to ease its density. The urban turns into suburban. Specifically, the development of so called villa district. For the moment, the courtyard houses that are being built in these suburbs are the fake antiques.