Living in the Southwest, there are very few people who have lawns. We just can no longer afford the water.
I do think there is something to be said for the (and against) the
psychological effect of a wide expanse of glistening sward. It says: "I can do this better than you. I can afford the time and money and to waste water on this."
But house's footprints bother me some; and urban permaculture interests me more. Here's a guy who is campaigning to turn front lawns into productive, food growing spaces:
Edible Estates