Okay, let's settle this once and for all: why were some Kanto locations made smaller or outright removed from GSC? Is it because of cartridge space limitations like people usually tell you? Or was it just an artistic decision to remove some Kanto locations or make them smaller in order to show how Kanto has changed in those 3 years?

Because most people tell me it's because of cartridge space limitations, but then some other people tell me there was actually more unused space left in the GSC cartridges. And this is also supported by how Crystal had enough space to add the Battle Tower, moving Pokemon sprites, etc.

So which one is it? Is GSC Kanto smaller because there was literally no more space in the cartridge to add anything? Or was it an intentional artistic decision to remove some locations in order to better show how Kanto has changed in 3 years time?