Res, Ind and Com specific zone layouts

[orcsoul 0]

 I know I've seen some suggestions as to general size/shape and what not for layouts of the specific zone types, I saw one somewhere a couple weeks back that I liked, but misplaced. Now I can't seem to find anything that gives some suggestions as to good ways to lay out zone-specific cities.

I've tried the good 'ole 6x6 grid pattern city, and it works, but I'd like to expand beyond just a roads and highway type system, perhaps mixing in some mass transit, or relying only on rails, something to basically lower commute times once you start filling in your region with additional cities. Which I generally prefer to use only a specific zone type in each map, and connect them to surrounding regions.

Any suggestions?

Also could use some suggestions for modifications that work well with the NAM. I'm not too particular on making a city any more or less realistic, right now just trying to get a more firm grasp on what does what and how it all interacts.

[Faded Glory 13]

Ok, nice series of questions/comments. I'll see if I can answer them in turn.

1) When I make grid cities, I try to put a 9 by 9 grid (outlined by avenues) and put one way streets through the middle. Putting commercial along the one way streets allows for more customer flow and higher commercial development. This could also be expanded to allow for larger skyscrapers as well, but the 9 by 9 works for just starting out. Eventually, you can revisit it when there is more development elsewhere and add high tech industry.

2) With the NAM, tram-in-avenue can be added in cheaply, with little layout adjustment other than the ocasional spur line that lead to a station (which can be resolved by finding a station for the tram-in-avenue here on the STEX). You could also use train lines pretty well by removing some of the one way roads in the layout above.

Hopefully this helps,

~Faded Glory