Ordinances

[DOXXP29 5]

After reading various threads on the different ordinances, trying to decipher Maxis' descriptions and using them in various combinations in my cities, I still, after years of playing, have no idea how much impact some of them have on the game. Many of them I still have no clue as to what they actually DO and why they should even be used. I would love to hear other players' feedback on them...how they're used, what they actually do, how much effect they have and whether some should even be used at all. For example, I've found the car pool ordinance to be pretty much a waste as well as the curfew ordinance. The commuter shuttle seems to have no effect at all or, in some cases a negative effect. Maybe a list of some of your "favorites" as well as ones you usually stay away from. Maybe I can finally make sense of the way to most effectively utilize them, especially in larger cities, as some of them can be quite expensive. I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts on them.

[bgn 4]

I was baffled by the Paper Reduction Act ordinance till I tried it--and to my surprise it decreased my garbage load. The Power and Water Conservation Acts also work well to decrease energy use, though the Sims do grumble about them at first (translation: your Mayor rating takes a hit).

[rodent1989 9]

If you have specific ordinances in mind the Prima guide has a description of all of them.  Most of them (in my experience) have a valuable effect, but some of the most useful ones are UBER expensive.  (like carpool incentive and emission reduction).  I recommend clean air act because it helps get rid of dirty industry.  Jr. sports program reduces crime, and pro-reading helps boost education.

[DOXXP29 5]

I guess what I'm really looking for is how these ordinances interact in the game. For example, yes, the paper waste reduction DOES reduce the garbage. However, it also killed my commercial demand, which I don't quite understand. (Yes, it was the ordinance, cuz as soon as I unchecked it, demand came right back.) Seems like every one has pros and cons, and I'm trying to figure out, from other players' experiences, what the cons are and for which ones do the pros outweigh the cons and/or expense.

[Arrow 0]

There are really only a few truly useful ones. Pro reading for any city and clean air for pushing your city towards high tech industry come to mind.

[paperboy15 4]

Hehe...I only use the Trash Presort Requirement because it reduces garbage that ends up in the landfill at a low price. The rest I usually don't bother with, even if my city is rolling millions of simoleons.

Yes, the Paper Waste Reduction Program reduces commercial demand by 5%. (from the Prima guide)