Arivana

[Archangel_XTS 0]

Hi all, I have just installed Cities XL 2011 and decided to document the progress of my city in this journal. My goal is set on quality not quantity, but will try to provide updates frequently.

Welcome to Arivana

Arivana is the first city, and capital, of a completely new region that remains to be discovered by future expeditions. The land selected for Arivana has been claimed in 2010 by post-credit-crisis settlers, who search for new lives and ventures. Since it's foundation a local government and mayor have been elected and assigned to the daunting task of building a completely new city where all elements of life may thrive.

Please enjoy my first city journal, I look forward to your comments.

[Archangel_XTS 0]

UPDATE 1: Early Planning & First Foundations

Immediately after the election, the mayor ordered a broad-scale spectrum analysis of the surrounding lands. The information is vital to long-term planning and this mayor is not taking actions without considering the future consequences.



The terrain is clearly suitable for a capital-style city. The planning department is recommending a classical ring-design freeway with surrounding residential areas. Considering the surface quality, the north-east region would prove the best location for immediate development.

Only six weeks later, the high-level plans have been translated to detailed designs and schematics and the first construction-workers had arrived in Arivana, time was not being wasted. Day and night the work continued and for brief moments when the dust settled, one could clearly see something great in the making.



With remarkable effectiveness, the first homes and shops have been completed in mere months. Due to it's promising future, all real-estate in Arivana is being sold quickly, some even exceeding the original pricing. As demand grows, so is the average home-price.

To limit the speculation on real-estate and to return balance to the overheating market, local government intervened with the emergency expansion of the residential capacity south of the N209 freeway. In addition the mayor ordered the development of a small business area to accomodate the entrepreneurial demand.



Considering the impact on the satisfaction levels in Arivana, traffic is always under inspection. The first reports show that capacity is currently sufficiënt, which is supported by the below quick-scan, which was taken during an average morning commute of the N209 intersection to A16 freeway.



 

[Archangel_XTS 0]

UPDATE 2: First Foundations & Quality of Life

Ensuring that growth and expansion do not dominate the quality of life for it's existing citizens is a promise made by the mayor during the first day in office. Now that the city is generating sufficient funds it is time to invest in that promise. The new local health centre is but a first step in the delivery of first-class public services.

Curing sickness is important, yet preventing them is crucial. With this in mind, the local government has decided to invest the remaining budget in two basketbal courts; one in hillside (south of the N209) and the other in Ventura (north of the N209). The residents have responded with much enthousiasm, introducing weekly games and even considering a local league.

[jazyje 1]

Very nice storyline --- reading it really made me feel like I got to know the city + its residents' lives....

[Archangel_XTS 0]

UPDATE 3: Next Steps - Urban Planning

While the latest inhabitants are getting familiair with their new homes and surroundings, the mayor is growing concerned. The city is expanding at lightning-speed, yet hardly sufficiënt to cope with extreme demands. Have we been too ambitious? Should we pause the development of our great city? The advisory board anticipated the concerns and have prepared new plans to accomodate further growth while maintaiting the highest quality.

Using the natural boundaries of the north-east hills, carefully planned residential growth is recommended at the area east of the N209. The report indicates that the area can offer housing to at least 5.000 new inhabitants, almost doubling the existing capacity. The mayor looks pleased, let's move forward. Let's grow and further improve the quality of life in Arivana.

[masochist 111]

This is pretty awesome! Great editing, and very detail-oriented. My kind of CJ; will keep an eye on it!

[Jesse Swiss 6]

awesome storyline, im keeping my eye on this one!

[Archangel_XTS 0]

UPDATE 4: Ferris Wheel & Golf Course

While the construction of the recently designed residential expansion is being prepared, development of the existing neighborhoods does not stand still. As more and more young parents find their homes in the Ventura area, so increases the demand for entertainment and activities for the youngest Arivinians. The new ferris wheel should provide plenty of that.

Hillside residents have responded with little interest to the celebrations of the new ferris wheel grand opening in Ventura, which can be clearly seen from many of their top-windows. Their modest envy would not find justification for long. With the goal of equal levels of quality across the region always in mind, the mayor had approved the construction of a new exciting development in Hillside long before, which was to be completed mere days after the opening of the ferris wheel.

With a solid swing and slightly drawed tee-shot, the mayor officially opened the new Arivana Golf & Country Club. The club features a classical- yet challenging 9-holes tournament course, with a spectacular 520-yards par 5 closing hole. As the sun was slowly descending towards the ridges of the nearby hills, the residents of Arivana returned home, still extatic from their introduction to the new golfclub and -course. With this new development completed, the Hillside neighborhood is becoming ever more popular amongst settlers from the surrounding region, which would soon find their new homes in the planned expansion of the area.

[Archangel_XTS 0]

UPDATE 5: Infrastructure

As the amount of highways, freeways and roads is steadily growing, so does the risk of taking a wrong turn and getting late to an appointment. In combination with the recent requests for accurate maps from a foreign bus-company, who are considering to launch their services in Arivana, it is clear that an overview of the current infrastructure is to be provided quickly.

Considering the high sense of urgency and the potential of attracting bus services and investments, the mayor rejected the proposal from the department of infrastructure, which basically involved walking and mapping every mile of road in Arivana. Instead, the mayor approved the costly expense of satellite imagery, sustified by primarily the speed of delivery and quality of measurement. Regardless of the criticism voiced by a minority in the local government, the end-result is nothing less then spectacular; a crisp-clear and 100% accurate map of Arivana's infrastructure, ready in mere days. Only time will tell if the quick resolution will result in the foreign bus company actually introducing their services to Arivana.

[Jesse Swiss 6]

wow ,wow , wow this is a special journal , i ablosolutely love that golf club! im amazed

[Borogwain 1]

Magnificient. I especially love the idea and wholle story of newly elected Mayor and his efforts to develop his city. Some kind of city-story is a must for every CJ, and this is perfect example of it. And do not miss those spectacular graphics. These are truly amazing. Archangel_XTS, could you explain how did you do those beautiful relief maps?

I subscribe to this CJ!

[Skimbo 304]

The golf course is a very nice idea, I really like the pic from tee 9!

What's the greenfee?

[Archangel_XTS 0]

UPDATE 6: Hillside Expansion

It has been several months since the decision was made to start the large-scale expansion of north-east Arivana, but the day of it´s completion has finally arrived. Following the delay incurred with the last-minute requirement for a bridge-connection crossing the N209, the result was worth the wait. With the Arivana Golf & Country Club in the vicinity as well as the clear view of the green hills and Blue Stone river, the newly completed homes are being sold with little effort. The question on many Arivinian´s minds is what will be next? What will be next development in Arivana?

[jazyje 1]

Very realistic suburban development!!!

[Incognious 0]

Wow i really love this city journal, great storyline and stunning pictures.. cant wait to see it develop

[Damastius 5]

Great job with a capital G! I love your layout. It's what I normally see in Dutch cities.

[hotChocolate 95]

Wow. Just wow.

[Archangel_XTS 0]

Hi all,

Many thanks for your comments, I really appreciate them and they are great motivation to frequently update my journal. For those who are wondering, I am using the standard game settings, so no cheats, no expert mode and no mods. I prefer gradually unlocking the new features and to have all restrictions and challenges. My goal is to really get that simulation experience and make my city as realistic as possible.

- Borogwain: For all my graphics I use Photoshop and occasionally Illustrator to create the roadmap with vector-shapes. The Relief map I made using only Photoshop, working mostly on layer-transparency settings.

- Damastius: I was stunned to read you recognized the Dutch-style layout, this is exactly the style I use for reference to make my city as realistic as possible.

[jazyje 1]

Excellent work, looking forward to another update! I also like the fact you don't use cheats or expert mode -- which means that I can expect orderly and natural/organic real-world like scenarios when it comes to future growth in Arivana.

[thvers 0]

@Damastius: That was i thinking too . haha expecialy the A and N roads. (Are you guys also dutch? because i see a lot of city's here with dutch style is eddited)

@Archangel: Nice city, where do you focus at whit you city? (industry, office, holiday and so on......)

[Damastius 5]

I am Dutch.

[hotChocolate 95]

Are you sure you aren't in the wrong section? Because this is Cities XL

[MandelSoft 2,769]

Looks nice, Archangel! Looking at the road numbers, I guess you live quite near Rotterdam, right?

[thvers 0]

Halo dan domastius en mrtnrln en archangel

mabey we have to start a dutch forum in simtroplolis

or do you already subscripe at tweakers.nl?

when is the next city update?

[Archangel_XTS 0]

UPDATE 7: City Overview

With the completion of the Hillside expansion, so ends a time of constant development and constructions. With relentless effort the mayor has stood at the start and finish of every new development. Arivana has grown from a mere vision into a thriving young city that offers the highest standards of living and working to over 10.000 residents. Rumor has it that the mayor has now set his sights to the area west of the A16 highway and that the new plans will be presented to the various members of government in several weeks. Exciting times are fast approaching.

[dudes 0]

Beautiful city, all I am wondering is that how does it work, I dont see any jobs availlable for the inhabitants so I am guessing your cashflow can't be positive.

[Damastius 5]

Beautiful!

[Incognious 0]

Originally posted by: dudes

Beautiful city, all I am wondering is that how does it work, I dont see any jobs availlable for the inhabitants so I am guessing your cashflow can't be positive.quote>

Well i can see about 10 shops and there is a small bussiness area as you can read in one of the updates and ofcourse the city services so i suppose those provide enough jobs to satisfy the citizens. 

[Archangel_XTS 0]

UPDATE 8: West Midlands

The negotiations and discussions related to the recent plans for expansion in Arivana nearly resulted in two members of government resigning from duty. The original expansion across the A16 highway was solely focused on office-space and skilled-residential housing. Since the area also contained highly vertile grounds, the secretary of industry and the secretary of labor demanded the plans to focus on agricultural development and housing for the required unskilled residents. It was only after the direct intervention of the mayor that a compromise was reached; the new West Midlands area would contain both skilled- and unskilled housing, as well as office-space and agricultural industry. Several months later, the first residents are moving into the West Midlands neighborhood and the first crops are ready to be cultivated, while at the same time the constructions are moving further.

[Archangel_XTS 0]

UPDATE 8: West Midlands

The negotiations and discussions related to the recent plans for expansion in Arivana nearly resulted in two members of government resigning from duty. The original expansion across the A16 highway was solely focused on office-space and skilled-residential housing. Since the area also contained highly vertile grounds, the secretary of industry and the secretary of labor demanded the plans to focus on agricultural development and housing for the required unskilled residents. It was only after the direct intervention of the mayor that a compromise was reached; the new West Midlands area would contain both skilled- and unskilled housing, as well as office-space and agricultural industry. Several months later, the first residents are moving into the West Midlands neighborhood and the first crops are ready to be cultivated, while at the same time the constructions are moving further.