Dos Gatos

[City2TheMax 3]

Dos Gatos

A diary of the city and its growth

History: A city that began in the early '70s; this metropolitan area began as a suburb of a larger metropolitan area in California. Being relatively new, it does not have a significant past other than its continued growth and urbanization. The rivers make the region very fertile, which accounts for the heavy agricultural development. Currently the area has a population of about 418,000 (3/14/09) , which is growing rapidly due to Hispanic immigration.

Significance of the Name: Dos Gatos means "Two Cats" in English; it is unknown why the citizens chose this name, but it is believed to have something to do with the psychedelia of the late '60s/early '70s

Info:

55% Hispanic; 36% Caucasian; 8% African American; 1% Other

Major Industries: Manufacturing, Dirty Industry, Agriculture

I'll start out with an overview of one of the newest cities; which lies in the South-East corner of the main island

1.01 City of West Arizona Bay: Overview

The City is new, with a brand new port being built along with a strip mall. Water and power are provided to all citizens and industries. Wastes and sewage are dumped into the sea because of efficiency and cost.

1.02: Docks

We can see heavy development due to the recent immigration

1.03 Power Plant

Oil is currently the cheapest and most efficient option of power in this region

1.04 Future Development

Soon new docks will be built in the indicated space. The railway provides good transportation options

1.05 The Strip Mall

More Development can be seen below

1.06 Recreation

As a regional effort to improve citizen's living conditions, recreational areas are being established

1.07 Wealthy Neighborhood (1)

The local church can be seen below, along with houses of some of the dock managers

1.08 Wealthy Neighborhood (2)

Cheap land incentives on the outskirts leads to wealthy development. This is also a result of the mixed urban decay/revitalization stage the city is experiencing (hot-spots of wealth do exist further into the city, which will be covered in future updates)

1.09 Wealthy Neighborhood (3)

The train lines run through this neighborhood

1.1 Intersection

This is the relative center of the town; the main avenues running North/South and East/West

1.11 Poor Neighborhood (1)

Many of the dock workers live in these type of apartments, as seen throughout the entire region

1.12 Poor Neighborhood (2)

Another intersection similar to the last

1.12 Church Development

We can see the main church and graveyard of the poor side of town

[Schulmanator 5,787]

Two cats? You know I am interested! A nice start you have here - I look forward to more.

[Hawkeye9 0]

Hey very nice start!!! I especially like that sports complex with the mix of palm and dedicious trees... it really looks great and complements the terrain mod!!! Definatly going to be following this cj!!!

[antsel 841]

Nice, another desert CJ. I LOVE the desert. Great choice in terrain textures, I really like the contrast between the red soil and the green grass. Your city looks great so far. I can't wait for more.

[SounderBruce 173]

Great work!

[De Ja Vu 117]

What a nice start! I like your terrain mod. The region looks so vast and beautiful! Keep it up!

-Dejavu

[danielcote 9]

I love the palm trees and the photo shoping.

[jacqulina 162]

great start and intro my friend,very nice first pics.

[Twenty20 28]

Great start for Dos Gatos. Very beautiful city, great port, industry, and housing with the little houses surrounded by gardens. I like the colour effects. Keep up the good work !

[un1 40]

Looks great! I wonder how long until one of those highways get upgraded to a freeway.

[City2TheMax 3]

UPDATE 2 -West California Bay

Replies

Schulmanator: hahaha thanks; I hope you'll like it!

Hawkeye9: thanks! Yeah I've played around with the vegetation a bit, and I'm glad you like this combination.

selles: I agree, the desert is definitely my favorite place. Thanks; I like the terrain too!

Computerguy890100: thanks!

De Ja Vu: Thanks! Yeah the terrain is working out great.

danielcote: thank you!

jacqulina: thanks!

Twenty20: thank you; I'm glad you're liking the development!

un1: haha I guess we'll see - and thanks!

Now that I've gotten you interested, We'll move north of West Arizona Bay to West California Bay.

The City: This area is new and developing, with great demand for commercial and low and high wealth residential development. The city is fully watered and powered. Garbage is exported south to West Arizona Bay. Primary education and hospitals are provided.

Current Problems: Lots of pollution; the heavy industry covers the bay in a permanent smog cloud. No local crime prevention exists; crime is generally handled by the sheriff. Middle class development is limited due to the kinds of jobs provided; and the overall desirability of the land.

The Future: The area is being developed to handle new immigration on the eastern Coastline. Industry development should relieve other areas in the region of longer commute times, as farms are being replaced by residences, and the citizens need new places to work. This will lead to heavier traffic, but that problem will be handled in time.

2.01 - Overview

2.02 - Trains

Trains, found along the entire Eastern coastal area, make a great method of alternative transportation; however this is a newer project and therefore no train lines exist further West into the metropolitan area.

2.03 - The Canal (1)

Here we can see the entrance of the canal into the open. It handles sewage water, but the problems of this method were only discovered later in the '80s and '90s. No plans currently exist to divert sewage water and let the canal become a clean water canal.

2.04 - The Canal (2)

The canal widens to handle industrial wastes, which combined with municipal sewage simply dumps into the ocean.

2.05 - The Docks

A general overview of the local docks. Notice the heavy pollution?

2.06 - Freeway (1)

Here is one shot of the local freeway, which leads straight to the docks

2.07 - Freeway (2)

Another shot; this time with some more traffic

2.08 - Poor neighborhood (1)

Once again we see the infamous apartments; very popular for the lower wealth population

2.09 - Poor neighborhood (2)

Some anti-grid development to switch the neighborhoods up a bit

2.1 - Poor neighborhood (3)

Simply a closeup of the area

2.11 - School

Primary public education is provided, along with some recreational facilities

2.12 - Shopping

A shopping center has developed off the main avenue; this being south of the picture seen above

2.13 - New Development

(sorry about the zots) / This is one of the new areas of residential development. The canal allows for extremely cheap land

2.14 - One last shot

Finally a last shot of the avenue in the sunset

Next Update: I'll move into the older, urban areas to show you what's happening there

[un1 40]

Hey, the freeway looks great, but it is more of a expressway because of the at grade intersections.

Also, they dump that much polluted water into the ocean!? I'm surprised that the ocean isn't brown yet.

Looks great though.

[ilikehotdogsalot 307]

Looking good! Reminds me a little bit of LA

[danielcote 9]

Looks LA style with gettos and hoods and Gangstas. And then theres just regular joes wondering what the heck is going on. TeeHee

[Vegetarian-Dracula 3]

I love these simple CJs. If the effects were better, i'd not like it this much.

[Hawkeye9 0]

Great update!!! I especially like the drainage system and use of RHW!!! Lookin forward to seeing the older urban areas!!!

[jacqulina 162]

wonderfull work excellent shots there my friend,love the trains

[City2TheMax 3]

Update 3 - Point Bay

Where it all began / The "mother-city"

Replies

un1: Yeah I think you're right (you might've noticed from my writing I'm not exactly from America, so I get the terminology mixed up sometimes). I'm glad you pointed that out! And yes I'm surprised too, hahaha

ilikehotdogsalot:

thanks! That was kind of the look I was going for

danielcote:

ahahaha, totally

Vegetarian-Dracula:

I'm glad you're enjoying it! I don't like messing with advanced effects anyways

Hawkeye9:

thanks! Glad you like it

jacqulina:

thanks! The train was my favorite part too (at least the picture)

Alright; let's get down to business with Point Bay: where it all started

The City:

The eastern core of the metropolis exists here. The first development projects began on the shores, and expanded exponentially. All services are provided fully, including a nice university as you will see later. Garbage is exported to neighboring harbors. The main industries are high-wealth commercial and dirty industry.

Current Problems: Urban decay in the older section of the city; this is bringing in poorer citizens and pushing the nicer stores out. Air pollution remains a problem with expansive docks and the proximity to the eastern docks. Crime is relatively high, although not as high as it used to be before municipal police were provided. Overall all the land has been developed; limiting new development.

The Future: Commercial business is booming; a brand new avenue is lined with many shops, and even a casino. The downtown is growing fast. Because of the ports and their growth in the east, highways might need to be developed at some point in time. The current goal mainly consists of finishing neighborhood developments.

3.01 - Overview (1)

This is the western side of the city

3.02 - Overview (2)

This is the eastern side of the city

3.03 - The Core (1)

Seen here is one of the oldest neighborhoods in all of Dos Gatos; currently a somewhat undesirable place to live

3.04 - The Core (2)

Early traffic management: avoiding intersections by building overpasses - this is also prevalent in San Luis; the city I will show in the next update

3.05 - Southern Peninsula (1)

The southern peninsula is actually considered to be part of the city of San Luis, as the city line is drawn on the river. It is one of the older and poorer parts of both of these areas, although mansions do exist here as well.

3.06 - Southern Peninsula (2)

The civic hub; all of the peninsula is covered by these basic services

3.07 - Southern Peninsula (3)

An example of some of the urban development closer to San Luis

3.08 - Rich Neighborhood

Cheap land always draws in a variety of groups, and once again we have a high-wealth class present

3.09 - Downtown

Downtown consists of sub-downtown (top-leftish), and the main downtown (center)

3.1 - Main Library

A popular place for those who are looking for an enjoyable day to shop and relax in downtown

3.11 - Convention Center

The courthouse, the convention, and the former tallest building (before the casino) (far right)

3.12 - Commercial Strip (1)

As development expanded east the "Strip" (a reference to Las Vegas' famous row of casinos) developed, which runs from here all the way to the coast.

3.13 - Commercial Strip (2)

Another view of the "Strip", along with the brand new casino and some developing neighborhoods

3.14 - Cruise Port

Just south of downtown, this cruise port has many destinations along the West Coast

3.15 - University

Dos Gatos university; founded in 1986, has many great programs for all ages

3.16 - Airport

This airport experiences average air-traffic, but is a great gateway to San Luis

3.17 - Docks

These is the largest complex of docks in Dos Gatos that borders the ocean - many jobs are provided.

3.18 - Traffic

A shot of traffic I took to show you some of the urbanization problems

3.19 - Neighborhood styles (1)

This is the first style that developers use: simple grid tactics, with main roads inbetween to handle the commuters. Ideal for narrow stretches of neighborhoods with predictable traffic flow

3.2 - Neighborhood styles (2)

This is style 2: basically a set of main roads interconnected, with smaller streets feeding to the roads. Ideal for massive development projects, and very effective so far

3.21 - Neighborhood styles (3)

Finally style 3: a neighborhood that's detached from other neighborhoods, and that feeds into a main traffic carrier (in this case an avenue). The only problem is highlighted in red: traffic accumulation in this spot during rush hour.

[SounderBruce 173]

Good work! In image 3.06, where'd you get that alley?

[yoshikoroyimara 5]

Seems like LOS GATOS! but with ocean view...and more pollution...and yep!

[un1 40]

Looks great! Although those neighborhoods are pretty congested .

[antsel 841]

Wow, the city looks to be coming along nicely. It's nice to see a diversity in the residents' wealth. I really like what you did in update 2 with the LA type drainage canals. Sewage and industrial waste straight into the ocean... anyone wanna go to the beach?

[City2TheMax 3]

TEASER

sorry; no update tonight -- I'll promise one tomorrow though

Replies will come with the update

[City2TheMax 3]

Update 4 - San Luis

"Formerly the gang capitol of Dos Gatos"

Replies

ComputerGuy890100:

thanks! I got it from PEG's alley kit: https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=11210

yoshikoroyimara: hahaha, thanks

un1:

thanks! Yeah they are congested, but that's unfortunately a byproduct of car-based cities

selles: thank you! I'm glad you're liking the direction this is going; I try to provide enough diversity.

Sorry about the delayed update, I've been busy these last couple days (including a 4-hour SAT today). This update won't be as big as the last, because I can work better with less pictures, but I'll bring out more updates.

Anyways, say hello to San Luis, a slowly but surely transforming city (in comparison with the rest of the region it's doing a pretty good job)

The City: San Luis is a bedroom community stuck between several part-industrial cities. Currently it is the only city in Dos Gatos with a majority upper-wealth community -  the reasons of which are due to a thriving economy and good transportation. All services are provided, and once again trash is exported.

Current Problems:

The city still deals with problems of its past. Formerly the gang capitol, pockets of high crime exist around the edges (see overview below to get the feel of where low-wealth neighborhoods exist). Before the rapid expansion one main industrial center existed, which led to the creation of a multi-lane highway with collectors. However over time the lower wealth citizens moved, but the industry didn't, meaning new citizens sought work elsewhere. Now San Luis is stuck with a big piece of concrete running through it, and few ideas on how to solve the problem.

The Future:

The economy continues to expand, leading to a growing upper-wealth class. Plans are being developed on how to solve the highway problem. Hopes exist that industry can be recentered, meaning that it will force citizens to use the highway as was intended. Other people hope that the ugly concrete highway will be removed, leading to a smaller and prettier freeway. Still others want to simply leave it there as a reminder of the past, saving both lots of time and money sorting things out.

4.01 - Overview

San Luis isn't as large as Point Bay, but has significant value

4.02 - Commercial

An example of how the commercial areas are developing off the main avenue

4.03 - Old Commercial

This is the older section of town, marked by the overpassing roads (nowadays traffic problems are solved by simply expanding the roads). Nonetheless business is doing well here

4.04 - Highway (1)

Here the highway, along with its collectors can be seen. Notice all the traffic these days....

4.05 - Highway (2)

Here's another shot of the highway at night. The collectors are harder to see because I used the 4-lane RHW piece for these parts.

4.06 - Seaside Developments

A popular form of suburban expansion is over the water: strips of land have been expanded from the mainland, and populated. Natural windbreakers have been created (covered in trees)

4.07 - Courthouse District

The courhouse is surrounded by trees, with a graveyard to its left. Another road overpass can be seen as well.

4.08 - City Park

A popular spot for the locals, this is one of the few city parks in Dos Gatos. Efforts are going towards creating more of these for recreation

Developments in Point Bay (Update 3)

4.09 - Bus Stops

Several bus stops have been built in these neighborhoods, which have greatly improved the traffic situation. They are marked by the red dots.

4.1 - Highway Project

Because of the expansion of the ports, a new highway project has been started. It will run roughly north-south.

[City2TheMax 3]

apparently there was some weird bug with the polls; so I removed it

[un1 40]

Wow that freeway is huge (Image 4.05).

Looks great too!

[SounderBruce 173]

Great work...thanks for the link!

[De Ja Vu 117]

Wow, great update! It kinda reminds me of GTA San Andres, but i'm not sure why. The first picture of an overview looks fantastic!

[Tomasneto 20]

Yeah guy, great start on your CJ and nice updates too!!!

[jacqulina 162]

wow looking great so far my friend,keep up the great work