Turry Metro Region to Scale

[bourneid 13]

Great job you are doing. There is a reason you goot a trixie for this journal. It is one of the best there is. I was wondering how you were able to get the huge region shots you have. I seem to only be able to get linmited sized pictures. And those gifs you made of the fireworks, are great..beter then mine. t is such a treat to see your city develope. keep it.

[London_Wyverns 0]

Those combination pictures are really good, it makes this CJ really fun to follow.

[The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz 27]

Wow! This city is really cool! I don't know how I missed it! There is something about it, something captivating!

[Dannato 4]

Southwest Beltway (M 116)

Driving up from the south into Turry on the M 35, ...

... just after the rest area at Kilborough, the Southwest Beltway (M 116) turns west and cuts through the city district of Limebeck. At the first exit after Uto Tunnel, you can turn left to the small town of Barnes (pop. 5000), or right to even smaller Sellbury (pop. 1100).

At Barnes, a Carrefour Shopping Centre, a Last Chance Motel, and a Subway Sandwich have developed near the motorway exit. Motorway access has shortened commutes to Turry considerably, but the municipality of Barnes is reluctant to allow any suburban sprawl at all. This area behind the Mt. Uto range has a very rural identity, and anti-urban mentality prevails.

The authorities of Bonneville (pop. 6,500) have a less restrictive approach. However, most development plans here are on hold because of uncertainties which route the beltway shall follow finally to be connected to the M 11. Several complaints and lawsuits are pending, and as per today, the Southwest Beltway ends here, almost in the middle of nowhere:

The motorway -- with yet another tunnel -- will probably remain under-used, as long as the industrial and commercial zones in Bonneville can't be extended.

Where do we go from here?

I've had this dossier on my desk for a long time, and I'm getting sick of it, frankly. The quarrels between the municipalities concerned, the Regional Development Council, the Transport Authorities, environmentalist groups, land owners, neighbourhood councils and many more continue to delay the completion of the Southwest Beltway, and there is no end in sight.

Here's an overview of the routes in question:

In addition to the political issues, there are quite a few technical problems with the completion of the Southwest Beltway. These include difficult mountainous terrain, built-up areas, inconvenient map boundaries (where tunnels or diagonal sections aren't possible).

Gameplay-wise most routes don't make much sense, to be honest -- at least for now, although traffic on the main road between Bonneville and Birmingham is rather high. Some sections might prove useful only in the distant future, once the area is more developed.

A few notes on the proposed routes:

A. Looking at our little sister city on planet earth, route A would be the most realistic, running at a much larger circle around the metro area. It is, of course, also the easiest to build.

B. Second easiest to build: B1, the borderline route. It would still have to cross two small maps where exits don't make much sense and crawl up a major hill, and destroy quite some buildings in Sliro. B2 would be more destructive to existing built-up areas and farmland.

C. Version C would level so many buildings and disrupt so many communities it's been tagged the Mass Murder version.

Now that you know all these facts, I'm asking you, fellow mayors and city planners: Which one do YOU think is the most likely ever to be built?

[i.ess 0]

Je vote pour l'option B2 !

[PhilsCafe 8]

Yeah, that's how it really works in Switzerland... voting, voting, voting.
I like your CJ the city and the way you modified the real names...

- Phil

[xiziz 11]

Hellusan Dannato!

Very nice updates, all 3 of them since i was last here... but then again i did cach a breif fling of RLS.

The New format on the pictures is great, with closeups. even though im a BIG fan of your overveiws, they are just soo nice to look at.

Even though ! would be the Realsitic and probably to be built IRL, it still exits the regionmap and provides nothing more than some demand cap releif.
Personally id have to split B1 & B2 into an B3, im going to describe by words.
Starting at Bonneville Follow B1 up past Birmingham and thorugh the tunnel B, but then turn onto the B2 route towards and thorgh Sliro. Wich unless there are really big building behind the yellow line, seems to have the least destruction of buildings and not to much destruction of farmlands, also seems like a more chosen route to the [M11].

Hope you understood, if not, well... I could allways post a picture if you ask...

Cheers!

[oroen 0]

I would build both B2 and C! But that's just me
Still my favorite CJ around!

[Dannato 4]

Once again: thanks everybody for looking, commenting, replying.

Xiziz: I understand exactly what you mean, the B1-B2 combination is something I've also been thinking about.

What worries me about the B version in general is the fact that between Birmingham and Sliro, the motorway will cross four small maps where development is severely restricted or even impossible (green or rural areas protected by the Development Plan on page 3 or so). Further, motorway exits for such small villages would be sooo unrealistic... The town of Birmingham has good potential for residential growth, and Sliro is a major industrial employer, but I suspect sims won't use a motorway that crosses several maps, or will they?

Version C might make the most sense gameplay-wise. On the Woodneck map (unlabelled in the above pic, it's where the C route crosses the hill), a pretty vast area is reserved for suburban-style residential development. The motorway would provide quick access to several large city districts of Turry.

Anyway, this beltway project is being blocked for political reasons, so there's plenty of time to think before anything can be done at all. As for now, let's have a look at some parks, so at least I'm not guilty of bumping my thread without giving you something to look at.

Parks Part 2

The eastern lake shore Between Willis Haven's Old Harbour and the Straiton Marinas is a popular area for leasure activities, particularly in the summer.

Willis Haven has a long beach with large lawns, an large Public Swimming Pool and long beaches (though artificial, with imported sand). Straiton (on Central Turry map) attracts many tourists with its fairground, a restaurant and club on Straiton Beach and many other tourist traps.

[PhilsCafe 8]

For political reasons huh? What's it: too much noise, shade? Everyone wants a comfortable life (fast connections), but nobody wants to accept the consequences.

I like your scenic beach and marina. I wish it was summer...

- Phil

[Simjurgen 0]

My Three Cents

The first one, i just got register on this forum just to see and make comments on City Journals especially on Turry bcos i think this region looks amazing!!!

The second one, i don`t like the way u do politics in here but at least thats not really that important.

The third one, i LOVE so much the way u build highways or motorways (whatever u call them).

so far Turry is great, keep the good work

[Dannato 4]

Simjurgen: Thanks for your reply. As far as doing politics is concerned, I'm telling you that I'm just doing my best, but unfortunately, politics isn't that easy. Take a look at what is happening in Sliro, for instance.

Sliro and the Limouth Valley

The industrial city of Sliro (pop.45,000) is the first suburban municipality west of the City of Turry -- and therefore outside my jurisdiction. This is the area where one day the Southwest Beltway is to be connected to the M11.

The Transit Authority has been able to push through a pretty oversized new exit on the M11. The mayor of Sliro -- Sean Shadey think his name is -- has supported the project, as this industrial town needed a higher capacity exit.

However, many observers claim the Transport Authority wanted this exit primarily to influence the decison on the route chosen for the Southwest Beltway, obviously pushing for the B2 version. I doubt mayor Shadey was aware of this. He might be dumb, but I don't think he's dumb enough to favour a highway project that would cut such a large, long strip of destruction through his city:

Meanwhile, Sean Shady has approved a new development on land where the borderline route (B1) would run though. An act of complete ignorance, or a tactical move in defiance of regional and federal planning authorities?

That much on politics.

[bourneid 13]

Great updates..havnt stopped in a all week. You continue to have one of the best CJ around. one of my fav features is that everything is spread out, in a very realistic way. you can see where the population centers have developed over time. And where areas have, over time come together. very natural and it fits together so well.

Now with the brown nosing out of the way..I have a very embarising thing to say sorry for. when I clicked to check in here, I was taken to the first page of the journal. I was not aware that I had copied one of you picture ideas. I must have seen it at soem other time and had forgotten. its the airport picture one the first page..with the letters saying vrooom. I made an animated gif of a plane flying over my city and doing the same thing. I appoligize fro that. It was not my intention to steal ideas from you. I hope that there has been no offence taken by you. And will do my best to not have it happen again.

And like I said....great job you have done. And continue to do the great job you have been.

[bertrana 0]

I love the VROOM pic! Can you post your animated picture of it here? I could use some more fun SC4 stuff for my personal art collection.

[bertrana 0]

I love the VROOM pic! Can you post your animated picture of it here? I could use some more fun SC4 stuff for my personal art collection.

[jasperdeman.nl 1]

Damn that Sean Shady .

He is trying to $%&^! up the Transit Authorities. If I were you I would campaign for a motorway right through Sliro.

Oh and I really love you City (Journal)

[xiziz 11]

Hey,

With all that new Development in Sliro i guess B1 is overlined as an alternative. Seems stupid to build a Motorway through a newly developed Area(or did i misunderstand and that area was a proposal to keep the Motorway out of Sliro Altogeather?)

great Update, Cheers, oh and do run Sean Shady down now... he needs a large Motorway outside his office... or Bedroom...

[pitch 0]

Hope you finish the Freeway to Lucern. And I hope it will take less time than in real life.

[Superstar 69]

Wow! thats awesome, I see the region view is extreamly realistic, good work man!

[Dannato 4]

 Mr Bourne, how dare you copy THE most original idea of my city journal! I'm sending my lawyer to Broome County to examine the animation in question, and if they find you might be guilty of any copyright infringement, they will not hesitate to bring this matter before the Intersimnational Court in The Vague! If it wasn't for the massive military power accumulated in your county, I'd send out the Helvanian Air Force attack on your puny provincial place right away! 

 

 Just kidding, of course, but I will keep a closer eye on your animations from now on.

 

Bertrana: No I don't have an animation of the VROOM pic, I just made a conventional pic. BourneID made an animation, [ad] check out his journal, Broome County, full of fun stuff. [/ad]

 

Xiziz and Jasperdeman.nl:  Yeah, Mayor Shady is certainly trying to prevent a motorway in Sliro altogether. As usual, every one wants fast connections, but not in their back yard -- and much less in front of their bedroom... Time will tell!

 

Pitch: Lucern??? Ah, Lucienne, you mean.  Yeah, I guess, that section can be completed pretty soon.

 

Superstar: Thx much 4 Ur visit.

 

But now I gotta take a break from all those motorway issues... Time for a walk in the park.

Parks Part 3

The inner city districts of West Central and Seaule Acres were planned out by the end of the nineteenth century as densely populated working-class residential districts.

Battery Park, next to the Military Police Headquarters is just across Seaule River, opposite the CBD. It's actually the yards of former baracks, and its gates are closed after dark.

Just a few blocks further west is Fielding Park. A school and a car park had to be built inside the park, as there was not enough space in the neighbourhood.

Bakerville Green is more practical than aesthetic, it has a lot of sporting facilities such as basketball and tennis courts, a skateboard park, playgounds and a large lawn. The screams of children playing on the large lawn are often louder than the traffic noise.

A word on Laetitia

Theo McGinty called from Tropicana. He says my wife is having an unsually relaxed holiday for her standards, mostly hanging out with her lady-friend, lots of sporting, but hardly any clubbing, no evidence of particular interest in male company. Laetitia called me too later this evening, in essence saying the same thing, but adding a casual I miss you. I'm not sure if it was heartfelt or just the usual empty phrase. I don't know her well enough.

Whereas she seems to enjoy the tropical beach life, I am glad to catch the occasional ray of a pale January sun, on my short walks through Turry's scarce city parks. Damn the winter!

[Superchan 23]

Aowesome Region, how i would love a region like that.

[+Guest]

Very nice CJ, would you happen to have a list of the mods/plots that you used. I would very much like to start up a new CJ, but end up getting frustrated and build metro grid cities. Maybe I will attempt to create another one tonight and try to stick it out until it is finished. Your CJ really inspired me to start another one up. Keep up the great work!

[+Guest]

sry double post

[texanpride786 2]

LOVE THE CJ, LOVE YOUR ROAD NETWORK, LOVE THE MARINA SETUP, LOVE SIMCITY.

[Rive85 1]

wow.. you spend lots of time doing this.. good work.

[rewright 804]

I like the region map you used. I have a city using it and it lends itself well what ever you want to create.

[MooMix1 2]

Holy... [:0] This is amazing! I am in love with a city! This is just great looking!

[ianpaschal 77]

I really like it, but for someone who's good at making such a realistic city, to scale apperently, I have a challenge.

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=59299

heh heh
-Scipio

[rewright 804]

Nice job; looks very realistic. I like your planning updates with proposed routes for new highways.

My 400th post!

[Dannato 4]

Texanpride, MooMix1, scipio, rewright: thanks guys.
Rive85: yeah, TOO much time, actually!

Cashis4life asked for a list of the mods I use, so here it goes. It's not complete, but I listed all those that really make a difference:

Gameplay mods

- NAM - I'm not using any traffic plug-in file, as I preferred to stick to my own settings in Traffic Cop. (see bottom of this post)
-  Traffic Cop by Larsz
-  Industry quadrupler by Toroca is also an essential. It multiplies jobs of industrial buildings by 4.

Eye-candy mods
-  NoPalms by Swamper77 (No Street Palm Mod and No Palm Props), as Turry's climate is supposed to be cool-temperate.
- NoOneWayRoadArrowsMod  by Tropod. I hated those oversized arrows.
- Street cul-de-sac mod  by Quirlix. Dead end streets without those silly black-and-yellow road blocks.
- Bridge-height mod  by Joerg. Allows flatter bridges.
 
 
Custom lots with a cheat effect
Utilities have capacities and/or coverage areas that are ridiculously small. To compensate, I use a couple of cheat mods in addition to standard utilities:

- Electric power plant by Jule78. It's supposed to cost 400 a month but there's kind of a bug, it's actually free. Very littly pollution.  I'd actually prefer to pay for it, but I couldn't change the dat file. I think of it as a substation (or transformer) for power coming from outside the region (as in real life).
- Flower power plant by doitle, power with virually no pollution, used mostly in rural areas where for mysterious reasons no neighbour deal is offered.
- CSX Waste to Energy Plant  by Vlakhaas: converts waste to energy with little pollution.
- Marrast Sherrifs Substation , always used in addition to a standard police station, to allow full police coverage of any map.
- Fire Department Headquarter by Sethtriggs to allow seamless fire protection on any map. I have better things to do than giving directions to the fire truck driver!
- I'm still looking for a decent looking, large hospital covering an entire large map, and better looking, larger-radius clinics. Anyone care to bat those?
- Money is never really a problem at easy level. I only used the  BSC Ultimate Budget Tool Suburbs Bank   just once to finance the airport. This is to compensate for the lack of a regional or national budget. The amount was deducted from Central Turry's budget.

Traffic Cop settings

walk:   20 on all walkable networks
car: street 50 -- road 300 --one-way: 300 -- ave: 400 --- hwy 800
bus: 50 -- 300 -- 400 -- 500 --600
truck: somewhat slower everywhere
mass transport: all between 2000 and 3000

I left speed on streets rather low, to deter cars, buses and trucks from cutting through residential streets -- think of it as speed humps or other measures to slow down traffic in residential areas, sadly missing in SimCity

Capacities:
street: 1000 -- road 2000 -- oneway 4000 -- ave 4000 --- hwy 8000
all mass transport networks: 10000

Capacity for streets increased most significantly. The high difference between streets and roads in the standard settings isn't justified: streets may be slower, but capacity should be similar to roads. (actually lower speeds tend even to increase capacity).

Current transit preferences: