Imperial City conurbation from above:

The old dockland areas can just about be seen in the south along the coastline. Up river in the Imperial City Central Business District (CBD), over-density, poor refuse management, decay and general inner city problems led to the long-term decline of real estate land values. This caused businesses to relocate into the new CBD found in New Victoria just north on the banks of the Imperial River where it meets the Royal River tributary. New Victoria is generally cleaner, better planned and regulated by the authorities and the New Victoria Planning Department in order to avoid some of the problems that the more organic and historic Imperial City Central has experienced.

Suburbs can be seen sprawling along public transport and trade routes away from the chaotic inner city districts that have grown along the ports and riverfront activities.

Imperial City from above with sub city and borough boundary map:

The most rife with gangs of the ghetto neighbourhoods of the Imperial City are found within the Oak Temple, St. Paul's and St. David's city/boroughs. There are however numerous notweworthy gangland and ghetto areas across the wider city, some of which can be found in Imperial City itself (Mulford Lots, East Grands etc. [East Central] - Nearside North, Clifton, Nearside South West [West Central]), Swine Town, Baron's Port, Royal Ports, Cannon and Forest Hill.

Various ethnic communities and demographic trends exist in the city which will be explained in greater detail in later posts. At this stage, from a basic geographical stance, what can be seen is widespread deprivation and poverty in overcrowded neighbourhoods that have traditionally housed the low wage workers on the docks and the associated heavy industries aligning the city's waterfronts.

As the city experienced rapid expansion, 'leap-frogging' has and continues to occur, whereby residents up-sticks and move from relatively urban areas into nearby/further out suburbs, in search of greener environments, less overcrowding and generally a better quality of life (QOL). When inspecting the Imperial City and the wider conurbation of Kings Bay/Imperial City in greater detail, evidence of the previously wealthy classes can be seen in areas that are considered as slums today. 

Affluence through architecture and property is visible where once beautiful buildings have become decrepit and run-down. Manor houses can be seen as converted into multiple dwellings, i.e. split into flats and apartments.

As can be seen in London and many other British cities, migration trends and employment shifts, coupled with different residential demand characteristics has led to greatly changing socio-demographic characteristics of the city's urban nrighbourhoods. On the contrary to the obvious slumification of certain neighbourhoods, there is widespread evidence of gentrification in Imperial Fort, where previously run-down areas have become popular and in some cases yuppified, partly as a result of the many university students, young professionals, artists and creative industry types in search of cheap rent and urban areas steeped in history, character, nightlife activity and culture.