Creating suburban sprawl

Contributor/author(s): Calcasieu S. Larue

When developing a typical sprawling suburb, one must remember that typical suburbs don't have downtowns. On that note, building a city of ANY kind needs to have some type of city center.

Here's what I do:

• Build wide boulevards and leave plenty of space open.

• Build dense commercial along with dense industrial. Space your zones out, however. This must be done in 2000, however, when high-tech industries are more likely to develop than in 1900. This should result in lots of Spicoli Centers, Retail Exchanges, and Sleek Industrial Buildings in the area.

• Build a MegaMall and/or develop a See and Want Emporium..... any major suburb has a mall (or two).

• Build a freeway near the area.

• After the area has developed to your liking, build tracts of forests and parks around and in the area. Kate Foundations should rise, giving your suburb a totally pure suburban feel.

See also
It pays to start your city away from the map centre
Modular city design methodology
A realistic city grid
Estates: getting them to grow
The map center effect
Burms: A Theory
Quick and easy urban renewal