Neo Essen

[MrWacko 0]

After spending more time than I care to think about downloading add-ons, BAT's, and whatever else that looked good on the various exchanges, I decided I'd start up a city journal of my newest city region, Neo Essen, to celebrate getting back into SC4 after about a year of neglect.

So, without further a due, the pics!

Region (Overview pic from SC4 Terraformer):

The region is a moderately edited version of the Victoria and Sannich Peninsula, by gitbi. Precision terraforming gets saved for in-game, but as you can see, I've already fooled around a bit near the southern end of the region. One year of no SC4 leaves a ton of new toys to tinker with .

And now, we get into the real pics, and the story of Neo Essen:

Birdseye view. Everything from the Old Wharf to the protested northern developments are visible.

The Old Wharf (PEG CDK), the remnant of a forgotten era in Neo Essen History. Since being renovated 10 years ago, land values aroudn the Wharf have skyrocketed. Before then though, they were simply a reminder of a time when Neo Essen was one of the most important shipping cities in the SimGlobe.

The northern suburbs, home to the wealthy farm owners. In recent years, this affluent section of the city has come under heavy scrutiny, due to its extreme wealth and anti-growth views. Many of the farm owners in these suburbs have sued, delayed, or otherwise stopped numerous new developments. The powerful Neo Essen Farmers Association (NEFA for short) lobby in the City Counsel against other industries has recently created an enormous backlash against farm owners.

The mansion of a wealthy farm owner (BSC Mansion - Uppark Estate; Requires LEX membership), who, rather than spending thousands fighting the urbanization of Neo Essen, embraced it. His three 9-story apartment buildings were rented out well before the opening ceremonies. While further developments have been stalled by the NEFA's lobbying efforts, his popularity among the average citizen has skyrocketed, second only to the mayor.

Farm country, to the east of the town center. When the shipping industry collapsed many years ago, the Agriculture industry saved Neo Essen from becoming a ghost town. Now, that same industry blocks a booming economy, with its land ownership covering the majority of the lands surrounding the city center.

Even during the night, the Wharf buzzes with bits of activity. Recently, office space has been taking more buildings near the Wharf, but fine dinning and tourism still consist of the majority of the commercial establishment at the Wharf.

And so, there's the beginning of Neo Essen. Replies, comments, suggestions, and whatever else you guys feel like saying are welcome, as always. While I may not have tons of posts, I pay a decent amount of attention to the boards, and know my way around the major exchanges.

[MrWacko 0]

Reserved

[dmscopio 225]

is it a map of Victoria? I lived there for 5 years, miss it so much!

[jacqulina 162]

great start and intro my friend,very nice first pics

[disturbman 0]

Great Pics and narrative. Can you show us where the city lies? It's allways good to have an overview of the surroundings.

[My Username 0]

great pics & intro!

i like the region and the amount of realism in your town.

nice work, waitin' for updates

[roboo1 1]

Good intro and very nice marina pictures!

[MrWacko 0]

Being new in posting on the Simtropolis forums, there's always that small twinge of fear that the thread will be utterly ignored. Guess that isn't happening .

Originally posted by: dmscopio

is it a map of Victoria? I lived there for 5 years, miss it so much!quote>

It is indeed Victoria proper, and the Sannich peninsula above it.

Originally posted by: jacqulina

great start and intro my friend,very nice first picsquote>

Thanks. Always good to know that my first attempt isn't a complete failure.

Originally posted by: disturbman

Great Pics and narrative. Can you show us where the city lies? It's allways good to have an overview of the surroundings.quote>

The large red highlighted city square at the bottom is Neo Essen. The large square immediately to the left is also part of Neo Essen, but that'll get covered in the next update. The patch of lower terrain going through both areas will also get covered in the next update.

Originally posted by: My Username

great pics & intro!

i like the region and the amount of realism in your town.

nice work, waitin' for updates quote>

Thanks for the complements. I personally think the pics have room to improve, but what doesn't? Besides, this is my first one

Originally posted by: roboo1

Good intro and very nice marina pictures!quote>

Thanks a bunch. I spent a fair amount more time working on the marina. What annoyed me the most was the bloody parking lots from the SAM. Those things just didn't want to stay stable...

And so, that concludes the first batch of replies. I'll have an update soon.

[Schulmanator 5,787]

Looks like a nice terrain to work with. And you have a great looking town.

[TimeMaster 4]

Wow, Everything is looking great, I am looking out for more. I like that seaport!

[MrWacko 0]

Update 1: The West Shore

After a few hassles with the NAM, I've got the first update for Neo Essen.

With the completion of Neo Essen's first highway and the addition of 2 lanes to the river bridge, traffic between the industrial districts to the west and the city center has decreased considerably. More importantly, though, is that with its completion, all land north of the highway was free for development. With construction of both complete, the NEFA has suffered a major setback to its plans of keeping Neo Essen rural and farm based.

With the newest, and highest apartment buildings and condo's just blocks away from the headquarters of the NEFA (Far Right), and Urbanization literally at their doorstep, the NEFA's supporters lose faith, and break ranks. While still a formidable legal obstacle to new development, many in the organization are concerned for its future.

Also present is yet another booming industry: High Tech. Due to the Mayor's Solar Energy Tax Incentives (SETI, for short), previous mayors attention to education, and a shift towards solar power for new generators, the technology industry is taking off. Of course, it has to deal with the same headaches as every other booming industry in Neo Essen, but everyone's confident that the NEFA will yield eventually, especially given the new West Shore developments.

The source of all the farmers trouble: Industry. Chemical manufacturing and processing is one of the major industries of Neo Essen. Its two rivals in the industrial sector are manufacturing and ore refining. Of course the farming industry is competition too, but with the bad reputation the farming industry has accrued through its anti-trust behavior, many don't consider them competition; they consider them a threat to their entire industry.

Just past the river, on the West Shore, lies the newest developments of Neo Essen. The old avenue connecting the City Center to the rest of the industrial district can be seen at the top right corner.

While Neo Essen has numerous recreation areas, Neo Essen has yet to have an official park. With the new development on the West Shore, Neo Essen's first official park opens (PEG Trail Parks). It's opening ceremonies were some of the most lavish Neo Essen had seen in recent years, and was a sign of the new life in the city.

[jacqulina 162]

no not a fail a success i think keep up the great work my friend looking very nice so far.

[disturbman 0]

With a name like that I thought you were going to be deep burried in german architecture, It seems I was wrong. I just spoted some small suburbian lawrise in your first screenshot.

[fabsies55 5]

nice region.. it sorta looks like great britain in a way ( i rekon its a rigged version of britain) nah jks lol.\

nice marina and mansion too, you have a good story behind each update which is good.

i like your suburbs but could use so more STEX material or could use variety in your houses.

nice farms and water and well done.

[balkair 6]

really great pictures! Well done!

[flyinbird93 2]

This is off to a great start. I love the usage of custom lots and how you try to give links and credit to some of them. your aireal shots are breath taking as well. such good useage and proper expansion of a city starting off the shore. your region looks like a fun place to build on, should be interesting to see how you expand upon it!

[anarchy0029 2]

You know what. I like this CJ. Neo Essen is a beautiful CJ to begin with. You use alot of creativity to begin a journey.

[MrWacko 0]

Another day, another batch of replies. Well actually its only the second, but still...

Originally posted by: Schulmanator

Looks like a nice terrain to work with. And you have a great looking town.quote>

Thanks.

Originally posted by: TimeMaster

Wow, Everything is looking great, I am looking out for more. I like that seaport!quote>

Good to know. I'll be updating a chunk of the seaport shortly, as well as some nearby walkways.

Originally posted by: jacqulina

no not a fail a success i think keep up the great work my friend looking very nice so far.quote>

I intend to.

Originally posted by: disturbman

With a name like that I thought you were going to be deep burried in german architecture, It seems I was wrong. I just spoted some small suburbian lawrise in your first screenshot.quote>

Meh. The name Neo Essen just sounded good to me. It was the name of some mega city in some sci-fi book I read a while back.

Originally posted by: fabsies55

nice region.. it sorta looks like great britain in a way ( i rekon its a rigged version of britain) nah jks lol.\

nice marina and mansion too, you have a good story behind each update which is good.

i like your suburbs but could use so more STEX material or could use variety in your houses.

nice farms and water and well done.

quote>

I never noticed that... It actually does resemble the main island of Britain. When I downloaded the map, I just thought it looked cool, with some interesting terrain to monkey with.

Originally posted by: balkair

really great pictures! Well done!quote>

Thank you.

Originally posted by: flyinbird93

This is off to a great start. I love the usage of custom lots and how you try to give links and credit to some of them. your aireal shots are breath taking as well. such good useage and proper expansion of a city starting off the shore. your region looks like a fun place to build on, should be interesting to see how you expand upon it!quote>

I always try to give credit when due. I'm still suffering from downloading fatigue though, since I downloaded about half the STEX and LEX in one weekend. Of course, I'm sure that I just think it was half the STEX/LEX, since that weekend seemed like forever. It's payed off though, and will continue to pay off luckily.

Originally posted by: anarchy0029

You know what. I like this CJ. Neo Essen is a beautiful CJ to begin with. You use alot of creativity to begin a journey.quote>

Thanks! Maybe this'll get pinned to your sig, if I'm lucky .

I'll have Update 2 within a few hours. I've got most of the pics, I just have to upload em and convert em to .JPG.

[Jillybean86 38]

Wow, I can't believe the start of this CJ. Everything looks great!

What I'm really struck by is the map. Holy cow, that map is incredible! Which one are you using, because that's seriously perfect. I envision towns in the north and south with a sweet coastal highway between them. Am I right?

[MrWacko 0]

Update 2A: The Hinckley Road Earthquake and

Fire

Today we've got two batches of pictures that could probably be updates in themselves, but I'm nice. You get them all right here, right now. Anyways, since most of my roads and districts are conspicuously lacking names so far, I've been on a naming spree. I'm not going to get anywhere near finished with naming, but it's a start.

Now, the pics!

Its early morning in Neo Essen. The fog is burning off early today, and everyone's just waking up. Nothing exciting at all happening today...

Nothing exciting, until 6:08 AM local time, when a magnitude 7.4 SimRichter scale earthquake hits Neo Essen. No property damage is suffered initially, due to the epicenter being almost 30 KM offshore.

But, something bad had to happen. Fires break out at a farm on Hinckley road, engulfing it in flames. The fire department was dispatched immediately, to stop the flames from spreading. However, it seems as though some of the fire captains were a bit sluggish when preparing to fight the blazes. While technically the Mayor ordered immediate action, some claim he intentionally dragged his feet, to deal a crippling blow to NEFA supporters, and free up land for development.

Whatever the cause of the fire trucks delay, it cost them. The fire spread rapidly into the southern forests, and north, into farm country.

In the end, nearly a third of all farms in Neo Essen were burned to the ground, in addition to almost a kilometer of forest lands. Whether mother nature willed this, or the Mayor engineered it, the NEFA has suffered such a crippling blow, some now openly speculate about its disbandment.

[MrWacko 0]

Update 2B: Pro's of Natural Disasters

With the NEFA's monetary power reduced drastically, development projects currently in the system got streamlined instantly. Even builders got the idea that they needed to build quickly, just in-case the NEFA's monetary deficit was short-term.

A Wharf expansion, designed to increase tourism and land values in the area, was quickly built, and the retaining walls extended further south.

While mid-rises had been popping up with reasonable frequency by now, with the sudden clearing of bureaucratic problems, the southern expansion quickly went straight up, with a few buildings qualifying as true skyscrapers.

Neo Essen's first sports team, the Neo Essen Earthquakes, playing its night opener, in the newly built Stadium District. Their sponsorships are reaching league records, a sure sign that Neo Essen's boom is continuing. Broadcasting the play by play live, is Neo Essen's own KGML.

Stadium Park (BSC Park Set, Requires LEX Membership), just past the Radio station. While not as luxurious as West End Park (Update 1's Park), it offers far more open space, and is widely considered more family friendly, with two playgrounds, and plenty of running space.

Birdseye view of the entire residential section, from the Stadium district up north, to the booming Southern Expansion. NOTE: There are a few things in this shot which shouldn't be there under normal circumstances, but due to game design, require being built way the heck before they're being used. If anyone can spot them, I'll name them after you when they actually do get used.

Phew, that was a long update. Enjoy folks!

[boon1234 9]

Awesome work! Great planning and region, and I like how you kept your city very basic and still made it look good.

[jacqulina 162]

great use of pegs things there my friend.looking very nice.

[MrWacko 0]

Originally posted by: Jill Jacobs

Wow, I can't believe the start of this CJ. Everything looks great!

What I'm really struck by is the map. Holy cow, that map is incredible! Which one are you using, because that's seriously perfect. I envision towns in the north and south with a sweet coastal highway between them. Am I right? quote>

That's the grand plan of things. Of course it'll be a long time before I get to building things in the north, but I'll get there eventually. I'm slowly spreading out in the southern flats right now.

Originally posted by: boon1234

Awesome work! Great planning and region, and I like how you kept your city very basic and still made it look good.quote>

Thanks. I always like to get a lot with a little. You can keep bringing in new things all the time.

Originally posted by: jacqulina

great use of pegs things there my friend.looking very nice.quote>

Peg's stuff is just awesome, plain and simple. No other way of saying it.

[ElBarto92 7]

Hey, really nice start to the CJ. I like the town, and that region looks like it should be pretty great to play (would be way too big for my computer to handle, I suspect...). Keep up the good work with it.

As far as things that shouldn't be in the city yet - there looks like there's the beginnings of a tunnel underneath the river there, which is probably done in anticipation of a lot of development around downtown and in place of those farms. Also, the highway and skyscrapers look a little bit out of place in a city that size, but I'm sure that as the city grows they'll look more natural. ((The Barto Memorial Tunnel? I kind of like it...))

[MrWacko 0]

Originally posted by: ElBarto92

Hey, really nice start to the CJ. I like the town, and that region looks like it should be pretty great to play (would be way too big for my computer to handle, I suspect...). Keep up the good work with it.

As far as things that shouldn't be in the city yet - there looks like there's the beginnings of a tunnel underneath the river there, which is probably done in anticipation of a lot of development around downtown and in place of those farms. Also, the highway and skyscrapers look a little bit out of place in a city that size, but I'm sure that as the city grows they'll look more natural. ((The Barto Memorial Tunnel? I kind of like it...))quote>

The Barto Memorial tunnel it is. As you've probably noticed, it's not going to be used for a while, but I'll get there.

[MrWacko 0]

Update 3: The Industrial Port

This update won't be that big, since I haven't had as much time recently. School started, and I've got a few other RL things to attend to. However, I hope that this'll just be a one time thing.

A whopping total of three ships are in harbor today (PEG-CDK3 Set), most unusual for Neo Essen. Of course, with Neo Essen's outdated break-bulk seaport, sending multiple ships is sometimes the only way to keep supplies rolling.

A small barge just down the dock finishes unloading materials. The rail yard just across the street is quiet, with no trains inbound at the moment.

The oil terminal (Chapapotex Oil Pier), the only source of petrol for Neo Essen. The region must import close to 90% of its petrol supply, all of which must already be refined. Residents and Industrial owners alike are clamoring for an expansion to ease petrol prices in Neo Essen, especially since oil prices recently spiked.

[suplado! 23]

wow -- nice port, maybe some overview, anyway--it looks realistic!!

[jacqulina 162]

thats so true my friend,excellent port btw

[Theirishnintendonerd 13]

Nice update and I like the region

-Trevor