Making realistic cities (SC3)

Contributor/author(s): Sean Wildman

I don't know about you, but I just hate those generic cities that are either all high-density zones, or those ones that use all one building (Brick Arms Apartments, Stoic Arms, and others) to get a high population. I like realistic cities. Cities that are just like a city in real life in every way. Here are a few things that will make your city realistic:

1. Don't use all high density zones. Use high density in the downtown area, medium density in the old inner city area neat downtown, then light density in the suburbs away from the inner-city area.
2. Don't build any mass transit! Because the truth is, every large city has traffic. And empty roads and freeways just don't make any sense. Granted, most large cities also have some mass transit of some sort, but not as many people use it as they do in the game. Besides, traffic doesn't really hurt land value all that much, trust me. All my cites are like that and I have some of the highest land values around. (Editor's hint: if you want a realistic city with mass transit, perhaps it's most realistic to build a mass transportation system that simply doesn't work!).
3. Don't make all the roads in a perfect grid. In my hometown of Dallas, the major roads and avenues are in a pretty straight grid, making it easy to go longer distances. But the neighborhood suburban streets wind and curve. That's how you make a realistic road system.
4. Don't put all the schools/hospitals/colleges/libraries/museums all in one little bunch. When is the last tome you saw a city that was all developed, but to go to school you had to drive 30 miles to where all the schools and everything else are?
5. Don't make a forest of water towers. Distribute them around like a real city.
6. Don't make a big bunch of parks/playgrounds/fountains/ponds/ballparks. This works just like the above two.
7. Don't use those stupid castles to get high land value. When was the last time you saw a city with castles scattered everywhere? (Unless you're somewhere in Europe).

Good luck on making your realistic city!

See also
What is a mile?
Building a garden city
Ten points for the ultimate realistic city creation
More realistic city tips
Realistic terrain
Reclaiming land and funds
Every mayor is different: improving your skills
Creating a national park
Make a realistic prison
A realistic city grid