Making cities more interesting

[the olive 0]

I was just wondering who you guys make your cities more interesting, my cities are simply grides with no empty spaces, they are very boring.  Does anyone have any tips on how to make a city more exciting?

[kristinaswan 2]

Make suburbian subdivisions. Most "real life cities" have a CBD using a downtown grid, with sprawling suburbia flowing out from that in many directions. Triangular intersections are good places for parks, plazas, schools, libraries, etc. Leave open spaces in the subdivisions for trees and such, but place hold them with parks, grass lots, community gardens, things like that. This will give it a "real life" feel, and make them pleasing to the eye. Only one downside to this type of subdivision......low population density. If you want some examples, look at my CJ "Bay County" here on ST. Hope this is helpful! Good luck.

[MayorTim 16]

Originally posted by: the olive I was just wondering who you guys make your cities more interesting, my cities are simply grides with no empty spaces, they are very boring.  Does anyone have any tips on how to make a city more exciting?quote>

I think you sort of gave it away right there. If your cities are boring as simple grids without empty spaces, than I suggest that you try a realistic road layout instead of grids, and leave empty spaces.

Also parks, landmarks, and terrain features, and BATs add to the personality of a city, and make it more interesting.

For more ideas, just check out some people's cjs! (Like mine! )

[spa 968]

Pick a region with a lot of variety in the terrain. Lakes, rivers and hills! Then instead of paving everything try and build to conform to the terrain. It should break up the grid.

[jglei701 8]

I agree with everything above. Here's what I tend to do:

I use lots of water (either the in-game water or canal/lake/river sets) and lots of open/park spaces, with lots of trees.

If you place your transit networks before you zone, then you can get rid of the grids too.

[DOXXP29 5]

I agree with everything said above to add variety. One important thing I think is to decide exactly what you're building your city FOR. If you want to amass large fortunes and population densities, then grids and flat terrain is the way to go. If you want a city to look interesting, then look at your map as an artist would look at a canvas. A little water here, a few mountains there, the theme of what you want it to be...rural, suburbia, western, etc, and go from there. A lot of times I've found, the more I wing it, the more interesting it can become. Ploppables from the STEX can add a large influence, whether they're buildings, seasonal trees, parks, canals or whatever.

[mrbisonm 1,620]

If you live nearby a city or a town, go take ride there and take your time to look at the *real City/town* with the eyes of Simcity. You will be surprized what you see and how many game ideas it will give you. Your game will be fun now to play and to develop. Try it and let us know.

good luck!

[the olive 0]

Thanks for all the help, my city is already looking better and its only in the early stages!

[dgrid 0]

or use Google maps, satelite view to check out cities.

Try to make them more "organic" with the terrain, as mentioned above.