Adventures In New Urbanism --- A Journal

[Jasoncw 11,949]

This is a really awesome city journal, I'm glad you started it back up (I don't visit cj's very often so I'm a little late finding the updates in this one).

 

Detroit's baseball stadium is located well.  I never thought about the possibility of it being like those other stadiums you posted, but now I appreciate that it isn't.  The stadium is located nearby a large park, two historic theaters (that now host concerts), and a few bars.  It's also next to a highway for easy access.

 

Keep up the good work

[PhilsCafe 8]

I'm sure living right next to a stadium can be annoying, unless you're a big baseball fan yourself. But public transport seems to be quite reasonable. I also like the second option for a new A's stadium.

Interesting update again. I really like this CJ.

- Phil

EDIT: Welcome to page 8!

[BlackStar 0]

A fantastically unique CJ!

I myself am a massive fan of New Urbanism-- and this CJ has inspired me to incorporate new ideas and ways of thinking into my city planning. There are some thoughts and processes I have not known of which I am now incorporating into my cities, such as developement of RCI in specific areas (i.e. don't put shops at the bottom of a very steep hill), or use of main routes.

 

I shall certainly keep tabs on this city journal.

 

The only critisism I can pick with the CJ, are extremely minute, pointless ones. Such as, in one pic, you have the back of a small shop onto a main pavement (on a corner), which surely must make it less desirable for walkage? That, and your usage of parks. (i.e. outside the characters new home, there is a massive fountain - what for? It's a small park, and it is blocked on two sides by shrubbery).

 

But then I do demand extremely high attention to detail in my cities, lol!

 

BS

[louisville327 0]

Date: 10/18/2005 9:09:10 PM
Author: BlackStar

A fantastically unique CJ!

The only critisism I can pick with the CJ, are extremely minute, pointless ones. Such as, in one pic, you have the back of a small shop onto a main pavement (on a corner), which surely must make it less desirable for walkage? That, and your usage of parks. (i.e. outside the characters new home, there is a massive fountain - what for? It's a small park, and it is blocked on two sides by shrubbery).

quote>

Never underestimate the ability of pure eye candy to beat out realism every time.

Thanks for reading, and paying close attention!

[tackaberry 0]

Great CJ. I have a highway free region Im trying (unsuccessfully) to develop in game, with mixed zoning, even ind.

[christhebull 1]

This CJ is great, even though it is distinctively American and looks nothing like where I live (in the UK). Here most suburbs were formed when a city, like London, grows so much that it has grown to the edge of somewhere else, like Kingston Upon Thames. Then Kingston becomes a suburb of London.

[Exhagaga 0]

Wow, this is definitely one of the most interesting CJ's Ive seen yet, its right up my alley!
I havnt had time to read through the whole thing yet, but i certainly will! Keep up the great work

[Darksun23C 0]

Great, great CJ! Although, as a Bostonian, I must protest...

You didn't mention Fenway Park!

The old ballpark is right in the middle of the Fenway neighborhood, surrounded by resturants and transit stops. The Massachusetts Senate recently passed a new bill allocating $55 million for more transit upgrades and a new parking garage to be built over the Mass Pike to lower street congestion.

Somebody's gotta push for Boston around here

[el jacko 0]

I just found this earlier tonight, and I can already say with certainty that this is one of my favorite CJs on the site. I've been trying to stray away from car-dependant suburbopolises in my cities but seeing examples like yours does wonders; I'll be sure to keep this thread in mind next time I open up SimCity!

And it's nice to see another Kunstler fan; have you read The Long Emergency yet?

[jpj_starfleet 3]

This is an excellant CJ!! I worked at Dodger Stadium for 6 years and know to well about the sea of parking lots, one thing going for dodger stadium is that is was built in a bowl so the only thing you really see from the city is the stadium lights on at night and access is not really that bad but like you said you still have to drive to go any where after the game, but I have also been to Baltimore, Wriggly, Boston, Pittsburgh and the new San Diego stadium and there all great especially the neigborhoods around them.

[omegaschlange 0]

Date: 10/24/2005 11:17:19 PM Author: Darksun23C Great, great CJ! Although, as a Bostonian, I must protest... You didn't mention Fenway Park! The old ballpark is right in the middle of the Fenway neighborhood, surrounded by resturants and transit stops. The Massachusetts Senate recently passed a new bill allocating $55 million for more transit upgrades and a new parking garage to be built over the Mass Pike to lower street congestion. Somebody's gotta push for Boston around here

 

Darksun, where in Boston you live?  I ask because I live in Newton (though next week I'm moving to Winthrop)....

 

Anyway, a stadium in the middle of a neighborhood has its downsides of course.  We need not forget the fiasco last year when the Sox beat the Yanks and afterwards the drunk college girl got shot by the police in the eye, and she died as a result!  And I felt bad for the people in the Fenway who dislike the Rolling Stones.  Drunken rioters are better contained in a sea of parking lots than let lose right in front of your door.  So to put everything in extremes, choose which you would rather lose: your car, or your life.  Of course, seldom do things boil to that point, but sometimes....

[packersfan 666]

hey Louisville love the journal, I'm all for the grid since I grew up in Milwaukee. Your region looks awesome, can't wait for mine to be huge like that, how do you do it? Takes a long time.

In my city I have mostly grid but I have this one are with semi-sprawl, more subdivision than really bad sprawl, but that type of layout nonetheless for something fresh and different to distinguish areas of my city, the game likes it more for reason.

[louisville327 0]

No new updates yet, but I figured I'd make my 300th post ever and get it out of the way. You understand, of course.

Look for a new entry coming sometime this weekend. And thanks for reading!!

[jacqulina 162]

great work coming on great the pics are fantastic too

[knarfmo 0]

This is an excellent, well-presented and well-written city journal. This is an innovative way to present the principles of new urbanism. Good job.

[stepper77 0]

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />https://community.simtropolis.com/assets/emoticons/3.gif>SBC Park in SF is another example of a stadium incorporated into a mixed use industrial/commercial/residential neighborhood. Though there is traditional parking on the back side across the way, its front brick fa

[Deathtoall 28]

I like your storylines, they are easy to read and aer believeable. This stadium idea would be good, it could make or break the district!

[Micah 16]

Great region! I love your downtown.

[Beaker416 0]

I love how you've set up the Stadium planning, definetly looking forward to seeing how that turns out.

[palmgurl 1]

nice stadiums adds real touch feel

[a8o 1]

Hey!

Subconsciously, I zone my own style of New Urbanism anyhow.

Sim City is quite unrealistic in that the cost of maintaining an excellent bus and rail network for a city of about 20,000 is marginal compared to maintaining an effective education system or police force, let alone highways. If anything, my style of New Urbanism exists because my cities have grown up not around highway offramps, but around stations. I think when building a region, the existance of both high density urban areas (like Bend) must be complimented by smaller towns supporting a freight station and agricultural industries, as well as dense, dirty industrial parks.

I find it frustating, as has been in the news in Austrlaia recently with rail freight lines being closed meaning more semi trailers clogging rural roads which in Sim City would barely pass for a road. But naturally, a region would need major freeways to connect cities within a state or a country. Australia's east coast is an example of this, as Sydney's expansion to the north, along the Pacific Highway to Hornsby, through the Central Coast where it eventually nearly meets Newcastle, and to the South along the Hume to Illawarra and Wollongong has made Sydney one of the world's largest cities in terms of area (building around its harbour and river system also complicates matters leading to a reliance on urban sprawl).

So it's not so much how a city exists within a vaccuum, and even though some of Sim City 4's regional interplay is a little crude, you have begun to explore it well in the new stadium subplot, but your future updates I would like you to present how, without a major highway system, your cities interrelate (and in my experience, forcing Sims to utilise my rail freight stations rather than semi trailers can only be achieved by cutting off road connections to neighbouring regions).

Excuse the sprawling essay style post, but I felt a city journal as interesting as this one justified such a response. Keep up the good work!

[louisville327 0]

We had struggled for the rest of the month prior to the proposal deadline, and had hammered out what we believed to be the finest urban renewal project ever attempted by Park White And Jacobs Urban Design. We had managed to incorporate a major sports arena into a traditional neighborhood plan. We had accomplished our goal, and were ready to present the details to our clients.

Bill White and I once again took the short plane trip from Norton to Bend. With little delay, we once again found ourselves in the office of Bend mayor John Abramson. Before us sat the three sponsors of the project, Abramson, Platte district commissioner Emily Albertson (a short brunette who's short time as head of Platte had prematurely aged her), and Washington Investment president Jacob Martin. Martin's firm was bankrolling the entire project, with only minimal contribution from the city itself.

Bill White and I had brought all of our slides with us as a way to fully illustrate the proposal---which we decided he would present (being a partner in the firm and all).

With the lights dim and the audience at full attention, Bill began.

Mr. Mayor, Ms. Commissioner, and Mr. President, thank you again for having us. Two months ago you hired our firm to tackle a major sports stadium project, to design a plan that would both promote the stadium and improve a struggling district. We believe we have successfully accomplished this task.

The site will incorporate all the land from the Wallace Avenue Bridge to the West to the elevated highway to the East.

Naturally, the rest of the land within the site will have to be cleared. This will cause minimal disruption to the rest of the district as most of the existing buildings are currently vacant or in disrepair. Of course the owners and tenants that do currently reside there will have to be fairly compensated for the loss of their property, but as Washington Investment has not put a price limit on the project, this will not be difficult. Also, we propose that any displaced residents be given first pick of any new residential development on the site, and be adequately subsidized if they would otherwise be priced out. Since the number displaced is so small, this will only affect 5-10% of new construction.

Now, as for the stadium itself, the best location is clearly as close to the waterfront as possible. We would orient the structure as so:

Wallace Avenue will be extended south to Roberts Street, creating a much longer and more majestic thoroughfare. Instead of an abrubt T intersection at the end of the bridge, Wallace will become a grand parkway.

The existing street grid will then be extended into the site, making connections with the avenues. The resulting layout will provide interconnection and alternative routes for both motorists and pedestrians in the area. There must be no cul-de-sacs and no dead ends.

Thank you, sir, said Bill White, who then continued, You see, our grid layout will create a neighborhood scaled to the needs of the humans living, working and playing there. It will provide multiple routes for pedestrians and motorists, and will weave the massive stadium into the fabric of the city.

Now, as for the actual building construction within the grid, we propose a strict zoning policy.

I'm highly in support of your plan then, said Martin with a smile.

I thought you would be, said White. However, we do suggest that the district make restrictions on what can be built on the site. We have drafted a building code that restricts the height of any new construction and provides aesthetic direction to the builders. New construction can take place as needed by the owners of the lots, but within certain limits to promote aesthetic beauty and urban cohesion. An architectural free-for-all is not in the neighborhood's best interest, but a certain amount of freedom is.

Emily Albertson spoke up, saying, I agree with you. In order to make this site blend in with the rest of Platte, it should be modeled after the architectural and physical paradigm. Some design diversity is welcomed, but the overall look of the district should be maintained, I think.

Good, I'm glad you agree. This project is nothing without your support. White continued, Now direct your attention to the stadium again.

However, it is not in the interest of the neighborhood to make all stadium attendees drive cars to get there. Traffic gridlock is the only possible result of 30,000 people driving personal automobiles to one location. To lessen the impact of cars and promote alternative transportation, a subway line must be extended to the Platte district. As you can see, the high volume created by a major event at the stadium would require a large station.

An extension of the Green Line subway from the Hayberry district into Platte has been planned for some time now. The new stadium will simply provide the impetus to begin. And with Washington Investment footing the bill---as part of their stadium plan---it can be completed relatively quickly, said Mayor Abramson.

A subway extension will provide incredible benefits to the district, added Commissioner Albertson.

Bill White continued, We were afraid that this major infrastructural improvement would be too much to ask. I'm grateful that it isn't.

Now, as for the stadium and park network itself...

The waterfalls are of particular interest in that they will power themselves. River water will be drawn up to the stadium, and then allowed to flow back down over ledges---the resulting flow will spin turbines hidden under the surface and generate electricity. That electricity will power the pumps thus pulling more water from the river to the stadium. It's a self-powering system. External energy will only be needed to start the pumps initially, which will run on their own from then on.

Jacob Martin nodded, That's an excellent plan.

Indeed, said Mayor Abramson. That will save the city millions in energy costs.

White replied, That's what we were hoping to do. Now, as for the design of the fountains, we feel a series of gardens will most contribute to the overall ambience of the park.

Mayor John Abramson sat back in his chair and smiled. I'm impressed beyond words. This proposal is everything I hoped for and more, and I have no doubt it will revitalize a struggling district in need of something like this.

I agree, said Commissioner Albertson, visibly excited. This plan places the interests of Platte ahead of all else, and for that I'm grateful. Truly grateful.

Bill White looked over at Jacob Martin, who was leaning back in his chair with his hands behind his head. Martin's approval was critical, as his company Washington Investment was offering to fund the entire endeavor.

Martin paused for dramatic effect before saying, Sign us up, Mr. White. Your proposal is superb. My company's stadium will sit like a grand monument amid a neighborhood of equal beauty, and we couldn't ask for anything more.

I sighed and looked at my boss, Bill. He was smiling ear to ear. He was getting ready to speak again, and I knew exactly what he was going to say next.

Excellent, he said. Now I'd like to discuss our fee.

[Kakaze 0]

Incredible!

How did anyone ever think the modern style of city building was worthwhile?

[jpj_starfleet 3]

Holy Krap! What an excellant plan! great use of the canals as a waterfall park/power system! I have one question, I noticed all the future buildings facing the stadium are commercial except 6 lots between the freeway and stadium behind the parking garages...why are they not commercial also? (thow I would live there!)

[knarfmo 0]

Very Nice waterfeature, Louisville327!

[jasperdeman.nl 1]

Great update once again!

I love the idea and the plan. The park looks great too (although the self-powering water flow system is highly inpossible in real life due to bad output efficiency of hydropower generators, but it will work in some degrees and save a big deal of money).

 

I can't wait to see what the game makes of it, and what it will look like once everything is built!

[binobi 2]

excellent cj, very inspiring to see somebody explain how and why their city is like it is rather than just a succession of pretty pictures.

[louisville327 0]

Progress came quickly for the district of Platte. The stadium site was razed and prepared for new development within a year and a half, and most construction---including the stadium itself---was completed just under five years from the day Park White And Jacobs Urban Design made the original proposal. Luckily for all involved, the Platte District Council approved the project with little debate, and the voters were quick to uphold the decision. At that point, I think the desperate residents of Platte would have taken anything.

Developers and investors snapped up the empty lots around the stadium faster than we could have imagined, and dozens of buildings were erected just as fast. Condos, apartments, stores and offices, even single-family homes were built around the new stadium. The result was a truly diverse neighborhood. Property values quickly shot up, enabling the original Platte residents displaced by the project (and granted discounted mortgages and rent to move back in) to make a killing if they eventually decided to sell their new properties.

As for the actual neighborhood, our building guidelines produced a beautiful, vibrant urban area.

The stadium became a magnet for activity. Washington Investment allowed for the facility to serve multiple uses, not just sporting events. A community center was built inside, as well as retail space and offices for local businesses. The structure wasn't abandoned at the end of every basketball game---instead, it produced activity at all hours of the day, every day of the week. It became a true part of the neighborhood.

Platte, for the first time in many years, finally enjoyed the benefits of a vibrant and exciting street life.

And the fountain gardens were a real hit with residents and tourists. Thousands flock every day to take in the majestic view of the river and enjoy the ambience of the falling water.

The stadium and neighborhood also attracted two new high-rise hotels on the waterfront across Wallace Avenue. Both became instantly profitable, and now seek to expand further at their current locations.

The true success story, though, is the entire district of Platte. In just a few hard years, Platte was transformed from a veritable ghost town filled with trash and crime into a vibrant, successful area attractive to new residents, businesses and tourists.

Before the project was completed:

And after:

Epilogue

The success of the project brought more clients and fame to Park White And Jacobs Urban Design. In fact, for several years we had too much work to do. Luckily we had the foresight to expand our operation in Norton and hired dozens of new, talented architects and urban planners, and made a killing.

Eventually, I was offered a partnership in the firm. Bob Park decided to retire, and he felt I would make an excellent replacement. I was honored, but I turned it down. My work with PWJUD had made me very rich, and with greater ambitions in my head, I had sought work outside the firm. It broke their hearts, but the partners agreed that my true calling was elsewhere.

I was offered, and accepted, a professorship at Eureka University, named after the city in which it was built, the sister-city of Bend. Eureka was in the middle of a population boom, and my new job allowed me direct access to the government of the city---giving me sizeable influence on the direction the urban area would take. Not only could I pass on my knowledge of and success with planning to my students at the university, but I could help a bustling city grow into something special.

I still live in Eureka to this day, and am very happy. And very rich, of course.

---------------------------------------
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It's difficult to follow a City Journal once it reaches a certain length. Here at Simtropolis, there are numerous quality CJs that span dozens of pages, some as many as 40 and 50. While that's very impressive, it can intimidate late-comers and discourage them from picking up long-standing storylines that they may have missed before.

In an effort to encourage future reading by new visitors, I've decided to end Adventures In New Urbanism here, before the length makes it cumbersome.

In the very near future, you will see a new CJ from me, following (at least to a certain extent) the exploits of our protaganist in his new home of Eureka. Keep an eye out for it!!!

I want to thank all visitors for viewing and (especially) commenting on this project of mine. Your support and kind words mean a lot to me. And for those who took the time to criticize the ideas presented in this journal, thank you as well, for helping me to refine the positions and strengthen the arguments within. Please feel free to periodically add more comments or bump this CJ if you feel others should be reminded that it exists. Again, thanks to everyone!

So, without further ado, this is

THE END

[Jitterati 0]

Great work!  Since I stumbled across this CJ it's been one of the reasons I keep coming back to Simtropolis. 

 

I can't wait to see your next

[6459978. 106]

Aw, a shame it's ended, but I'm sure we can expect more great things from you. I've really enjoyed your style of narrative.

I've just got one nit to pick about your stadium update -- obviously they didn't consult an engineer when they designed those miraculous power generating waterfalls. What you propose is thermodynamically impossible; it would always take more energy to pump the water to the top of the reservoir than could be obtained from it as it fell back down, so essentially that's a perpetual energy waster.