I was thinking something like this, for returning players. Towns can possibly be cheaper for the first 3 days - a week based on what rank you are. Gives returning players a reward for returning after losing everything, and it will allow people who owned a town to restart it without getting bored or quitting due to losing upwards of 3 years of "work".
Honestly I don't see a problem with everyone owning a town, more taxes collected, more money removed from economy and allows players to play as they want. If I want to own a town, I should be able to purchase one, if I want to be a part of a town, I join one. If someone is worried about a 10k x 10k world, then the border can be increased.
+1