Optimal Zone Size

[AshTym 31]

Obviously the grid system is not the first and final word in city design as it was in previous SimCity titles, but it still seems to be the most effective.

 

In the first few cities I've started in this latest version of SimCity, I've been sticking to roughly 8x6 grids for residential and commercial zones, and slightly larger for industrial areas. This seems to work satisafactorily and allows for relatively unfettered zone desity advancement (given the roads are up to the job).

 

What are others using as a general rule of thumb? Are there any tips regarding zone sizes that you'd care to share?

 

EDIT: I just came across this handly link which explains how the zone placement tool displays potential zone depth based on road density. http://vine.co/v/bJPFHDJ5xUr

[brondi00 0]

I think that following the road guides is a pretty fool proof guide to how big city blocks should be in game. The biggest buildings usually fit in it back to back if you follow them.  It is pretty boring though.  Another down side to following road guides (a grid) is traffic. I have not figured out, yet, the games pathing.  It seems agents will take the shortest distance possible even if it is obviously slow.  

 

There can be a traffic jam that, in game time, literally takes 6 hours to clear. More sims will happily pile up behind it and wait, emergency vehicles do not have right of way and will also happily pile up..  

 

Don't know about any of the readers but if traffic was that bad I would go an alternate route.  So, short answer to your question: I think it is going to depend on figuring out how the traffic routes and then you will know how big the zoned area should be.  Once I know that I will be able to optimize space used for roads with space used for buildings.

[Jahnri 21]

  So far the best system I have used is cellular zoning. Most of my city is a series of heavy avenues in circles. Lined by medium roads with no zones along it to generate traffic. Then I pack the circles with bus stops. People take the buses almost entirely. Its odd but it works up to about 124k people. At which point it seems to deteriorate.

[shadowjump 0]

I still cant figure out how to build streets so that when I place zones it wont leave a gap! Any help?

 

Should I use square streets or what? How many tiles?

[Surly_Says_79 0]

I still cant figure out how to build streets so that when I place zones it wont leave a gap! Any help?

 

Should I use square streets or what? How many tiles?

 

ive wondered this too, it seems that no matter what size of block i create they're is always an empty lot or only 1 industrial building will go up in the whole block...  

[Hopman 0]

I still cant figure out how to build streets so that when I place zones it wont leave a gap! Any help?

 

Should I use square streets or what? How many tiles?

 

ive wondered this too, it seems that no matter what size of block i create they're is always an empty lot or only 1 industrial building will go up in the whole block...  

 

 

Have you tried using the Rectangle road tool?

If you make squares with it, a single high dense residential building will fit.

[Cheiromancer 0]

  So far the best system I have used is cellular zoning. Most of my city is a series of heavy avenues in circles. Lined by medium roads with no zones along it to generate traffic. Then I pack the circles with bus stops. People take the buses almost entirely. Its odd but it works up to about 124k people. At which point it seems to deteriorate.

I don't quite get this. Could you post a picture of what you mean?

[Sunfighter 186]

I perfer the I dont give a damn spaghetti method. All my cities have a knotted mess look to them, and ironically they function better than grid cities....