Braeselton: Economic Powerhouse of the East

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Entry posted by piercing_arrow · April 19, 2015

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Welcome Back!

After a long hiatus, I am back and present you with the latest workings in South Devon: The City of Braeselton. It is home to 500,390 Sims, and is second only to Colbertson in the number of jobs, homes, and overall resident happiness.

As with most of the major cities in the region, Braeselton was originally a master-planned city, but quickly turned into a fast-growing urban metropolis. The city spread is limited by borders with neighboring regions to the north and east, the South Devonian Sea to the south, and the Steel Mountains to the west.

The city itself is largely constructed on a flat plain between the Steel Mountains and the Braeselton Highlands, leading down to the sea. The infamous Braeselton Volcano to the northeast is a constant reminder of the land's constant tectonic activity.

Developers in Colbertson wanted the city to become a city of gleaming commercial high-rises and wealthy condominiums, and quickly laid roads, streets and avenues, as well as skyscrapers in the city's CBD. Zoning followed, and the new city was on its way to glory.

After some development, Braeselton looks like a Communist's dream city gone wrong. Residences aren't growing as tall as developers want. Offices are sitting empty. Commercial zones develop shops instead of offices. The avenues sit empty. City expenses far exceed its income. People protested the general emptiness of the city, in addition to skyrocketing tax rates.

After just a few years, the city was jumping, recovering after the massive fires that swept the CBD just after the construction of skyscrapers. Some high-wealth residences start appearing around the city, especially to the west of Downtown. The city also get's a flashier nightlife, although some people are lobbying the government to cut the amount of light pollution at night. How sad... one would not see the artificial stars at night if the bill was passed...

Braeselton University, one of the region's most prestigious schools of higher education, specializes in architecture and engineering. The classes are hard, the professors handing out papers, and lots of pizza is delivered! Get studyin'!

The Braeselton Stock Exchange glimmers at night next to some downtown business. Per se the city's power conservation law, only certain buildings are allowed to have electricity usage during the night.

A freight train hauls goods stored in warehouses in southern Braeselton. In the top right corner is the Eastern South Devonian Court of Law-Deciding Jury Processes That Incriminate Criminals. Many a person has been taken there and have not come back... Is Dr. Vu up to something, or is it the National Congress?

Hiawatha Bank Tower, one of the first skyscrapers in Braeselton, sits in the middle of downtown. Neighboring buildings were torn down to make way for the Braeselton Green Park.

Braeselton Volcano lies in the northeastern sector of the city's boundaries. Although it hasn't erupted in 70 years, developers are still unwilling to build anything on the mountain's slopes. Recently there has been a series of small earthquakes around the base, but no alarms yet...

Modern Downtown Braeselton. The city is clad with shiny steel skyscrapers, competing with Colbertson for the most lustrous skyline. Washington Tower, the tall white/bluish tower, dominates the skyline and supplies 12,000 office jobs. Even so, it is a copy of the same building I Colbertson, so many Sims believe Braeselton to have an inferior skyline.

And finally, an update on the region's largest city, Colbertson.

The city of Colbertson has grown tremendously in the past few years, growing from a modest population of 75,000 to a sizeable metropolis of 736,800. In addition, the surrounding areas of the city have now become very suburbanized, growing as more low and middle class families move to the area.

Skyscrapers line the waterfront in lower downtown. Don't try driving too close to the cliffs!

Even taller skyscrapers dominate and define Colbertson's skyline. The PanPacific Building is the tallest in the region, employing around 15,000 people in its cubicles. Train and subway traffic is persistent, but regular traffic is unheard of, since most Sims do not drive on the streets. Hilly topography and strict laws discourage most drivers.

The Winspear Stadium area is crammed with other skyscrapers, competing for sports-watchers' business and the desirable land values. The arena is so well-built that only barely hear the screaming fans inside.

Industry lies just east of the downtown area. High-tech companies, manufacturing plants and smelters all make products for the city and the surrounding region. Also a recent development in the city are SkyFarms, which are now providing food for the Sims.

The shoppes around Rayburn Square, named after the commercial magnate Ronald Rayburn, Sr. To stifle the growing commercial service demand, malls and gallerias stretch into the sky. Only 3 reports of ovens and 7 reports of shopping carts crashing through the windows have been reported!