You're Hired - NATURAL and SMART Growth - City of Watersauga

[regionlong 3]

Today is June 19, G.Y. 2

We will split this topic into 2 or more updates (since this is a long topic). We will discuss our SECOND PRIORITY CORRIDOR (Originally 4th priority, but was re-arranged due to suggestions by City Counsellors, notably RoflYoshi).

Queen Elizabeth Corridor has its backbone around Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW), a mostly two-laned, east-west road that spans across the region. It is the ONLY CONTINUOUS road from the west end to the east end. 

It is ALSO THE ONLY corridor that has been FULLY URBANIZED along the corridor. No matter where you are on the corridor, you will see some sort of RCI DEVELOPMENTS. (by RCI, this excludes farms). Much of the farmland had disappeared around the QEW for urban areas.

The corridor is home to approximately 55% of the region's population. For more details about the corridor, you can check out the list of corridors page (meeting #10).

The corridor sets as a historical symbol of the region. It is the first road constructed upon discovery of the landmass, and of course, the start of the development of the region.

Figure 1 - Overview of the Queen Elizabeth Corridor, boxed around with white lines. However, in this diagram, Portas do Circo and Trafalgar Village are not shown, but they are part of the corridor.

The RED line shows the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW). For its entire length, it is TWO-LANED (i.e. a road in SC4). It currently suffers from immense traffic delays and traffic jams. And therefore, an expressway alternative was created for the corridor, highlighted in BLUE. Some parts of the original two-laned road was directly upgraded to a highway. Where it is not possible, a BY-PASS is created.

The thin blue line shows the future proposed extension of the expressway. 

After the meeting, I would like you, as a city counsellor to express your opinion on the proposed extensions of the expressway.

Figure 2. List of all member municipalities in MARCH 2010. We have now included Portas do Circo as one of the member municipalities.

Figure 3. The current view of the corridor. The QEW is built around the shortline. So look for the shoreline! (Also excluded Portas do Circo, we'll explain why later)

Concelho (Council) of Portas do Circo (Pop. 200)

Portas do Circo is the border city between Watersauga and neighbouring Portugese colony.

Figure 4. QEW traversing through Portas do Circo. It is the ONLY SECTION of the QEW remaining that is not developed with residential developments. Should we develop this land? If we do, this will add traffic demand to the corridor, while making home to up to ~10,000 people.

Figure 5. The western end of the Queen Elizabeth Corridor (QEW), as you may recall from an earlier meeting. This is the border crossing with the neighbour Portugese colony. After crossing the border, QEW becomes Pracas dos Portas do Circo.

Town of Dixie South (Pop. 12,000)

A small town as a suburb experiencing continual development due to the Queen Elizabeth Way and the nearby City of Port Credit. 

Figure 6. Queen Elizabeth Corridor (QEW) entering Dixie South from Portas do Circo. Notice residential developments began here, and it will be CONTINUOUS to at least Randolph - Rebecca.

Figure 7. Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) crossing a bay in Dixie South. Notice the on-shore residential developments (suburb of Port Credit).

* Sorry for the graphical glitch, blame the Mac OS 10.6.3.  **

Figure 8. Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) traversing diagonally through residential developments in Dixie South.

Figure 9. Notice the empty land near the top-middle of this picture? That is the reserved land for an extension of the Queen Elizabeth By-Pass (expressway). Should we extend the expressway now? Our concern is there are only about 5,000 people living west from this point, so the expressway would be under low usage. If not now, when should we build it? Or abandon the plan?

Figure 10. Queen Elizabeth Way exist as a six-lane expressway through Dixie South's Industrial District. It is a busy route featuring commuters from the Greater Port Credit area. It used to be a two-lane road, but was upgraded when the road could not take the traffic anymore.

City of Port Credit (Pop. 44,000)

Among one of the top ten cities in the region, Port Credit is an anchor of the QEW corridor and the Prairies Corridor. It is the City of Industries.

Figure 11. Queen Elizabeth Way entering Port Credit from Dixie South as an expressway.

Figure 12. Queen Elizabeth Way near University of Watersauga (Port Credit Campus). It is down to a four-laned road. 

Figure 13. All along the outskirt of Port Credit along the QEW, there are features of small communities as such above. The diagonal road above is QEW.

Figure 14. More residential developments along the Queen Elizabeth Way.

Town of Richmond Hill (Pop. 7,000)

Suburb of City of Port Credit. With stimulus from the Queen Elizabeth Way, it further enhanced development.

Figure 15. Queen Elizabeth Way entering Richmond Hill from Port Credit as a two-laned rural highway. Notice the development south of the corridor.

Figure 16. Queen Elizabeth Way existing as a pair of one-way roads through Richmond Hill Town Centre.

** And again, sorry for the graphical glitch.**

Town of Angus Glen (Pop. 29,000)

Suburb of City of Watersauga. Again, with stimulus from the Queen Elizabeth Way and the QEW By-Pass, it further enhanced development.

Figure 17. Queen Elizabeth Way entering Angus Glen. A historical industrial park is upon sight when the corridor enters town.

Figure 18. Queen Elizabeth Way traversing through residential development of Angus Glen. (Important Note: QEW is the two-lane road near the bottom left, NOT the one-way roads. They were built to relieve traffic stress on QEW).

Figure 19. Downtown Angus Glen. QEW is not in the shot of this picture, but I assure you it is nearer than you think (right below of this picture frame, in fact). Notice taller commercial and residential developments. HOWEVER, the Queen Elizabeth Expressway By-Pass is in the shot in the top-right corner. It is the expressway that I mentioned earlier to relieve traffic stress on QEW.

City of Watersauga (Pop. 247,000)

The biggest city of the entire region, and is the anchor of the QEW and the Hurontario Corridor (see meeting #3 for that). The City of Watersauga is the City of Commerce.

What is shown as part of the QEW will be a teaser for the next entry .

Figure 20. Both the QEW and its expressway By-Pass enters the City of Watersauga from the Town of Angus Glen. This just gives you a picture between QEW (the one-lane road near the watershore), and the QEW Expressway By-Pass (the highway near the top of the picture), and how they operate. This is the closest point between the two thoroughfares. 

** Sorry for the graphical glitch again.**

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And that's all for the meeting! Sorry for keeping you long in the meeting room!

Please be on time for our next meeting. You can do that by SUBSCRIBING the journal.

I know I am jumping around between topics, but for your general idea of where are we going next:

NEXT UP: Queen Elizabeth Corridor (Part II) >>

AND THEN: Things Fixed in Watersauga >>

-----------------

The regional chair

----------------

We are now online! (Along with other regions of mine). Check out http://gravenhurst.wikia.com

Currently, Watersauga only has 2 articles out of the 133 articles. The other articles are about another region.

----------------

Constructional comments AND answers to the PINK QUESTIONS are appreciated!

[regionlong 3]

Today is August 6, G.Y. 2

First of all, we apologize for the pause in more meetings, due to our regional chair went on a holiday to our new colony of Port Run (will be covered in future meetings or in a separate CJ). Anyhow, we shall progress with our previous topic, about the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW). 

In our previous meeting, many counsellors APPROVED the idea of extending the QEW freeway by-pass. As such, extension construction is currently underway, and photos shall be shared in the near future. The freeway by-pass is projected to be opened by the end of G.Y. 2.

UPDATE: Portas do Circo is now developed with 11,000 residents. As suggested by Counsellor Samerton, new residential developments have been developed behind the rural highway behind the sound barrier. It is the first municipality in Watersauga to use this technique.

Without further due, let's continue our tour of the corridor.

Figure 1 - Overview of the Queen Elizabeth Corridor, boxed around with white lines. However, in this diagram, Portas do Circo and Trafalgar Village are not shown, but they are part of the corridor.

The RED line shows the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW). For its entire length, it is TWO-LANED (i.e. a road in SC4). It currently suffers from immense traffic delays and traffic jams. And therefore, an expressway alternative was created for the corridor, highlighted in BLUE. Some parts of the original two-laned road was directly upgraded to a highway. Where it is not possible, a BY-PASS is created.

The thin blue line shows the future proposed extension of the expressway. The portion between Angus Glen and Port Credit has been approved by counsellors and is currently under constructions.

City of Old Watersauga (Pop. 289,000)

City of Old Watersauga is the biggest city (in terms of population) of the region, and certainly the first one to be settled and developed. It is a big commercial hub. The city is the anchor of the two biggest development corridors of the region. See Meeting #3 for further details.

Figure 2 - The road shown in the centre of this image is Queen Elizabeth Way. As seen here, with the lower density houses (which are rare in Old Watersauga due to the ANTI-URBAN SPRAWL POLICY), was here ever since developments traced up the road. 

Figure 3 - Queen Elizabeth Way just immediately west of Downtown Watersauga. As seen here, QEW exist as a road, while suffering fromMAJOR traffic delays. The locale is proposed to be REDEVELOPED, replaced by HIGH DENSITY COMMERCIAL, bringing more jobs to the city but more traffic to the already slow QEW. Is this a good idea? About 5,000 additional jobs would be brought here.

* Sorry for the graphical glitch.

** We will skip some photos of Downtown Watersauga. These are repetitive with some on Meeting #3.

Figure 4 - New commercial complexes on RECLAIMED LAND around the QEW to help QEW to develop to its MAXIMUM POTENTIAL. 

We are currently planning to reclaim even more land just south of the current QEW shoreline alignment, to bring more jobs to the locale. This raises major environmental concern, but good for the city's overall economy. Should we proceed with this plan?

Figure 5 - Queen Elizabeth Way By-Pass Expressway (locally named Watersauga Valley Parkway) in Downtown Watersauga. Notice the surrounding commercial development. Also, take note in the OLD ALIGNMENT of QEW to the right of the image, existing as an avenue, popular to thru traffic.

Figure 6 - Another shot of the QEW and the QEW By-Pass alignment. QEW here exist as an avenue.

Figure 7 - Queen Elizabeth Way (old alignment) being completely upgraded to an expressway here in Uptown Watersauga.

Figure 8 - Queen Elizabeth Way (Expressway) through the outskirts of the city, in the industrial park, one of the oldest developed district in the region.

Figure 9 - Queen Elizabeth Way (Expressway) through the community of St. Dennis in Outskirt Watersauga. The area is currently being REDEVELOPED for high-rise residential, posing serious traffic threat to the QEW corridor.

Municipality of Land Link (Pop. 2,000)

A municipality spanning over several islands in the delta region of the Dawson River. Developments, though light-density oriented, are heavily influenced by QEW and its nextdoor neighbour, City of Watersauga.

Figure 10 - The Dawson River Viaducts, carrying the Watersauga - Rebecca Railine and the QEW across Dawson River, into the islands of Land Link.

Figure 11 - Town Centre of Land Link on Ile Grande (Grand Island) of the municipality. The town centre is located on the QEW Corridor.

Figure 12 -  One of the smaller communities on an island in the municipality. Notice that, even though the island does not offer an exit on the QEW corridor, but it is located on the coridor.

Municipality of Breakwater (Pop. 500)

Even though not accessible to the QEW corridor, the municipality is geographically proximated to the corridor, and is heavily influenced by the corridor. The municipality is made of Breakwater Island, an island just south of the Land Link chains of islands.

The island is accessible from the City of Watersauga through ferry.

Figure 13 - Overview of the Breakwater Island.

Figure 14 - Breakwater Island hiking trail, and the Peaktop Lookout.

United Town of Randolph and Rebecca (Pop. 29,000)

Randolph - Rebecca is a united town, ranking among one of the top ten cities in the region, and is an anchor of the Trafalgar Corridor and QEW. The QEW actual alignment does not enter the town centre, however, does traverse through the outskirt of the town.

Figure 15 - QEW alignment (upgraded to an expressway), through the Randolph - Rebecca Industrial Park. The Industrial Park is located at the junction of the QEW and the Randolph - Rebecca ringway (the expressway to access into town).

Figure 16 - The community of Ivory Coast, located within the municipal boundaries of the United Town of Randolph - Rebecca, though located very far from the town centre of Randolph - Rebecca. The community is the only community located on the QEW corridor of the united town.

Town of Trafalgar Village (Pop. 6,000)

Trafalgar Village is a town located on the QEW corridor, the easternmost inhabited and incorporated municipality on the QEW corridor. It is rapidly developing due to the QEW corridor, and also being a suburb of Randolph - Rebecca.

There are currently no pictures for this town. (Didn't take any since it changes really rapidly).

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And that's all for the meeting! Sorry for keeping you long in the meeting room!

Please be on time for our next meeting. You can do that by SUBSCRIBING the journal.

I know I am jumping around between topics, but for your general idea of where are we going next:

NEXT UP: Things Fixed in Watersauga >>

-----------------

The regional chair

----------------

We are now online! (Along with other regions of mine). Check out http://gravenhurst.wikia.com

Currently, Watersauga only has 2 articles out of the 144 articles. The other articles are about another region.

----------------

Constructional comments AND answers to the PINK QUESTIONS are appreciated!

[regionlong 3]

August 2010

By early August 2010, the population of Watersauga has reached 807,023. This is, again, not the entire view of the region, but encompasses most of the major cities of the region. Most of the growth has been concentrated around Old Watersauga with the new land available due to land reclamation, and in Ottawa - Gatineau.

This just gives you a sense how the region is growing. 

[Benedict 3,119]

Your region is looking good - I'd be interested in seeing a transit region view.

[regionlong 3]

Thank you for your comment, Benedict! (I've been waiting for a comment for a long time). Anyhow, I will ensure you that a transportation view is coming soon.

[cheeseman 3]

This is pretty nice Keep it up, don't be discouraged by lack of comments, it seems people only like to comment on very pretty bright pictures

Figure 3 - Queen Elizabeth Way just immediately west of Downtown Watersauga. As seen here, QEW exist as a road, while suffering from MAJOR traffic delays. The locale is proposed to be REDEVELOPED, replaced by HIGH DENSITY COMMERCIAL, bringing more jobs to the city but more traffic to the already slow QEW. Is this a good idea? About 5,000 additional jobs would be brought here

Do it and upgrade routes later like they would IRL tbh

[cheeseman 3]

This is pretty nice Keep it up, don't be discouraged by lack of comments, it seems people only like to comment on very pretty bright pictures

Figure 3 - Queen Elizabeth Way just immediately west of Downtown Watersauga. As seen here, QEW exist as a road, while suffering from MAJOR traffic delays. The locale is proposed to be REDEVELOPED, replaced by HIGH DENSITY COMMERCIAL, bringing more jobs to the city but more traffic to the already slow QEW. Is this a good idea? About 5,000 additional jobs would be brought here

Do it and upgrade routes later like they would IRL tbh

[regionlong 3]

Reply:

- Cheeseman: Thank you so much for your comment! Your comment has been submitted to the council for approval. We shall see the results in the next several years (i.e. in the next several entries), so be sure to stay tuned!

Remember Meeting 5 (Say NO to Urban Sprawl)? Exactly 6 months (half a year ago), we've asked YOU to suggest changes to the City of Old Watersauga, so we can improve the city, increasing in population and population density, while not doing any harm to the environment and avoid sprawling into the countryside. You've spoken, and we've heard you!

In case you've forgotten (or too lazy to check Meeting 6), we've made the following decisions for the City of Old Watersauga, and it's time to look at the result of your input.

Before improvements:

Figure 1. The City of Watersauga, dated November 2009.

Suggestions you've made 6 months ago:

Elevated Rail: Will be demolished. A subway line will be first built under the current alignment before the demolishment begins to avoid inconvenience for transit users.

Train Capacity Problem: Like we suggested in the last entry, we will add more train stations nearby to divert commuters.

Highway Interchange: Futher debate is needed. Stay tune for future updates, but we are leaning towards keeping the traditional interchange.

Movie Studio: The problem will be set aside until we absolutely need the land.

Heritage communities: Will be kept as per consensus.

Land Reclamation: Some land will eventually be reclaimed. The current project suggests the ocean space just outside Pacific Place and the bay outside of the Humber Community. However, this will be further investigated in the next entries.

Urban Sprawl: Per consensus, yes. We will divide the farmlands into priorities, with the ones closer to the Hurontario and the Rexdale Tertiary Corridor first, then work inwards. The development would last for the next 100 years. Work has been started in parts of the farmlands. More on this later.

Figure 2. The City of Old Watersauga, dated July 2010.

1 Elevated Rail Problem

The major East-West elevated corridor (just north of the QEW By-Pass) has now been demolished. Recently, our regional chair has visited theCity of Ottawa in Canada, and therefore, experienced the Transitway. The regional chair has given high ratings to the Transitway, and therefore implemented in the City of Old Watersauga, over the past elevated rail land.

Figure 3. Transitway built on the previous elevated rail track, with designated bus stations and interchanges to subway stations. (Sorry for the graphical glitch of the turn-left lane)

Figure 4. Another part of the transitway, built on the previous elevated rail track. Also with designated bus station and interchange to subway.

Figure 5. Not all parts of the elevated rail has been demolished. The section for connection near the suburb municipality, Angus Glen, is kept, due to lower traffic.

And not all land has been redeveloped over the elevated rail track.

BEFORE

AFTER

Figure 6a & b. The former elevated rail interchange has been demolished, but until now, nothing has grown or built over it.

2 Train Capacity Problem

We have immense problem in rail capacity, and station service quality, 6 months ago, and today. Now, it is still a major problem waiting to be solved. Anyone has any ideas to solve this?

We've built more rail stations, but we've got this:

Figure 7. 532% of the station's capacity! 

Even worse than before:

Figure 8. Station capacity before more train stations were built, at 495% capacity.

As a result, not only stations were clogged, rail lines are also jammed with congestion. 

Figure 9. And therefore, we doubled our tracks. But this does not do the job very well. Still, portions of the rail are congested.

Once again, I would ask: Any solutions?

3 Highway Interchanges

Figure 10. Traditional, big interchanges, are still kept in Midtown Old Watersauga, as per consenus in the last meeting.

4 & 5. Movie Studio and Heritage Communities

These facilities / communities are still kept. Unfortunately, our Imagery Department has no pictures of that currently. But you can be ensured that they are kept.

6. Land Reclamation

This is a MAJOR topic of this CJ, rather controversial. But with the opinions we've got in the last meeting, it is best for us to set these project aside. However, during this 6 months, several land reclamation projects have been completed, and became new districts of our city, as follows:

Figure 11. A newly reclaimed piece of land just outside of the historical community of St. Dennis. The new land has been used for high density residential as shown... 

Figure 12. ... And also used for medium density residential.

Note that much of these reclaimed lands have relatively flat landscape and a very flat (rather than ragged, natural) shorelines.

Figure 13. A newly reclaimed piece of land just outside of Midtown. The land has been used for a European style of architecture of medium density to high density residential.

Figure 14. Another reclaimed piece of land south of the QEW alignment. Note that it's used for commercial purposes for more job sources.

Figure 15. A sandbar has been constructed, about 1 - 2 km south of the current shoreline. This is the proposed new shoreline of the upcoming, MAJOR reclamation project, proposed to house 100,000 extra residents and more jobs.

However, due to the comments we had recently about land reclamation, this has been put off indefinitely. Is this a good idea?

Figure 16. The new topographical map of the city shows the sandbar. Any land in pale peach colour are pieces of land that are reclaimed.Naturally, the topographical map of the City of Old Watersauga, in terms of land colour, should be GREEN.

7. Urban Sprawl

Not the perfect option out there, but with continuous urban growth, this is inevitable. And as suggested by some of you previously, this is no doubt, the only good option remaining for us.

Figure 17. The two new Simon Towers are built as a part of a new community in the recent sprawl into the farmland. Notice the contrast with the farmland behind.

Figure 18. New urban sprawl communities into the farmland, featuring more high-rise residential developments, to minimize urban sprawling effect. This is all in part of the SMART GROWTH technology that we use.

8 Demographic Data

Finally, we will leave you with the demographic data crunched out by the Census Repository Department (CRD). This will help you to make decisions on behalf of our residents.

Figure 19. Demographic Information for the region (City of Greater Watersauga) and the city proper (City of Old Watersauga). Notice about 90,000 commute out-of-town for work, and 50,000 commute in-town from outside the city. We're trying to change that and balance the two numbers. Already, the number commuting out of town has been reduced by 10,000.

[Benedict 3,119]

Great to see the progress over time.

[nathanthemayor 1,263]

Nice job so far!