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Date: 3/19/2005 10:56:23 AM Author: Kaze Progressa Love the student housing. Having seen a (much smaller) student housing block in Southampton (mostly four-storey modern flats) I can say that the Hive is a pretty realistic idea for student housing. Can't wait for more updates.quote> Thank you!! Yes I think it is not unrealistic... I have seen several campuses with only small buildings and lately the trend seems to prioritize those over massive but unconvenient buildings...

Btw about the undergroud tunnel for the railway connection: Indeed terraforming tools are important... Lowering/elevating terrain to build the tunnel was easy, but since the scope of the terraforming tools is too wide (even when pressing down the ctrl key) a large portion of the canal had to be destroyed. That's when the hard work started, since canals can only be built on perfectly flat land: flattening out again the surrounding terrains without destroying the tunnel and without wasting too much space around it was the challenge... Anyway if some of you are interested in doing this but find it difficult or don't understand how to do it, just PM me and I can post a short tutorial.

THE HIVE AND THE SOUTHEAST (small update) Many solutions were possible to accomodate students coming to the new university; building a few big buildings, or many small buildings, concentrate them in one area or scatter them across the city. The question was put to deliberation by the council who made the call based on the following arguments: - Providing a high standard of living is important to reinforce the university's attractivity. - There is no shortage of land close to the university, especially to the north. - Building high-rise buildings is risky when it comes to maintenance and involves a much higher investment. Accordingly, the City decided to try and build a model of student housing, through: - Committing to integrate the community with the natural surroundings and see that there be no shortage of greenery - Opting for small 3-storey buildings each housing no more than 15 students in individual rooms - Providing basic commercial services to make the community fully autonomous The general layout and design was the responsibility of the chief urbanist who opted for an original idea although bearing in mind that circulation should be kept fluid. https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//AshbyQ91.JPG align=baseline> The project was highly successful. After two years spent completing the general works, and only three years of activity, more than 5,000 students were already living in the area which they came to nickname the Hive due to its uncommon layout. As room for growth is now very limited (27 units completed out of 32 possible), a possible extension is being discussed by the council. https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//AshbyQ92.JPG align=baseline> Over the 5 years devoted to the new plan, the Hive was the main project to be conducted along with further development in the southernmost area of the city. As newcomers are flocking into the city it was highly necessary to open new spaces to build on. The most outstanding project was of private initiative, through an opaquely administrated consortium of uncertain origins which acquired vast pieces of land. The bottom line was simple: build an ideal community close to all facilities and which layout would enable everyone to enjoy the surroundings. Although not completed entirely, the area seems headed for a massive success. https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//AshbyQ93.JPG align=baseline> The design of the buildings and their square-like layout makes it possible for everyone to enjoy the greenery nearby and the buildings are far enough from each other to avoid congestion or issues faced by overcrowded districts. This project combined with the ongoing developments led to a surge of the population in the southern districts, while the Hive paved the way to further developments up north... As a consequence the main goal for the next urbanization plan will be: - Building a high-capacity bridge over the river to better link the core areas of development.

CLOSED POLL Sorry to be late for the update, I was sick these past few days Anyway the results of the latest poll concerning the raised cities are: 1. Make them historical with no further addition 36% 2. Destroy them altogether 10% 3. Keep them and add a larger fortress on the nearby island 40% 4. Replace them with a larger fortress on the nearby island 12% I'm glad to know there's a lot of work for me coming ahead ! lol Those citadels take a while to build but I personnally think they can look nice Oh and of course I would have done it without a hesitation if the poll had turned out that way, but I am happy I don't have to demolish those I have already built ! THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO PARTICIPATED IN THIS POLL

CHALLENGING RAILWAY (small update) If you read the last update, you know developers were faced with a challenging problem: restablishing the railway connection between the industry on the canals and the port. THe whole problem was not to jeopardize the skyrocketing development opposite the newly built university, but then it would be unefficient to make the railway system much longer... It took months and a lot of feasibility studies before civil engineers found a solution (and it took me a while to get this done, which is why this update is late...) If you want to go on a straight line like the main canal (the shortest way), and can't build above the canal... you might as well dig deeper!! That's the final solution that was adopted: a very long tunnel running BENEATH the canal... Here's the entrance when coming from the port... ... and the exit, where trains can flow directly into the core of the main industrial zone... It took a while to build but the results are encouraging. Tomorrow: housing thousands of students for a very low cost ! You roughly have one hour to vote about the future of the raised cities...

NEW POLL !!!!! VOTE ! Remember the raised cities, heart and soul of Ashby Quays ? (see pic)... Well, as some raised the issue (no pun intended) we need to decide what to do with them now. Again you have 4 options to choose from: 1. Don't touch them, don't do nothing!!! Make them historical and that's it. 2. Get rid of those, they're useless and they take up too much space! Destroy them altogether!! 3. No no no... you never know what's gonna happen now that the city is growing and successful it may attract evil enemies. Keep them, and add another, much bigger fortress in the middle of the bay to watch and protect the entire region! 4. Well, we don't need thousands of those but protecting the region is a neat idea. Get rid of those and replace them with a huge fortress in the middle of the bay! Needless to say, your decision will have an impact on the future of the city and the whole region. Think, make up your mind and GO VOTE -> http://www.langlaufen.nl/poll1.htm You have 48 hours, ie until 10AM EST (3PM GMT) on Wednesday 16th. Additional notes: -Those of you who don't know or can't remember why the raised cities are here in the first place, read the beginning of this CJ. -Those of you who don't know any more where the island in the middle of the bay is, here is a reminder: NOW GO VOTE!!! -> http://www.langlaufen.nl/poll1.htm NB: Thanks (again) for DaMaster-architect who put the poll together this time too.

FANCY UNIVERSITY... As the plan went, the next steps to develop the city included building a top-class university and defining new areas closer to the canal-based industries to solve commute issues and better synergy. But to keep things simpler, why not do both in the same area ?? The area chosen for this purpose is a rather flat, woody piece of land by the main canal. https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//AQ711.JPG align=baseline> The construction did not go smoothly at all. Concerns were raised about the inevitable destruction of a significant portion of railways; others were opposed to the damage done to the beautiful forest that was all around. A compromise was found: a significant proportion of the forest would be preserved around in within the university precincts. The railway map would be rebuilt bearing in mind that the traffic could not be slowed down too much, and that additional costs were to be kept as low as possible. Other decisions included: the building of a magnificent and imposing bridge over the canal, linking the university (north) to newly designed development areas (south). Since the university had no prestigious reputation to thrive upon, it was clear that in order to be attractive many efforts (and much money) should be invested in making it a wonderful place to be. After 3 years of intensive works, the results were indeed not too bad. https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Aq7U1.JPG align=baseline> The gardens too were beautifully landscaped with paths to stroll, ponds to relax and all types of grounds to enjoy some exercise... https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//AQU2.JPG align=baseline> And just as planned part of the forest was not only preserved but actually integrated within the grounds of the university. https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//AQ7U3.JPG align=baseline> Across the bridge started developing a thriving area, a posh area as a matter of fact where top-class shops and wealthy sims started to concentrate very quickly due to the beautiful surroundings and extremely convenient location. Ashby Quays saw the first high-rise buildings concentrate along the canal while in other areas the most modern buildings mingled with traditionally chic shops. https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//AQ7C.JPG align=baseline> https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//AQ7C2.JPG align=baseline> All for the best then ?? Well not really: two MAJOR problems had to be solved and were to be the goals for the next plan: 1. The extremely attractive area had the prices skyrocket, leaving no places for the students to live close to university. A solution has to be thought through. 2. The railway connection between the port and the canal indutrial areas has not been re-established yet (see picture) This is highly dangerous for the local economy, as canals and roads get overcrowded and might not be sufficient to accomodate all the traffic... https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//AQ7D.JPG align=baseline> We'll soon see how that goes...

Date: 3/12/2005 6:13:22 PM Author: Kaze Progressa A classic in the making. I'm almost tempted to try my own interactive CJ... but that would be stealing your idea. Awesome. Incidentally, it might be worth having some high/mid-rise R$/$$ near the university to represent student accommodation... quote> Student accomodation... That's a very good idea! It never occurred to me actually...

POLL CLOSED! A close call for a very long time. This was without a doubt the most thrilling poll so far The final results are: OPTION 1: 17% OPTION 2: 28% OPTION 3: 15% OPTION 4: 38%

ASSESSING THE SECOND LOCAL URABNIZATION PLAN 1. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT The newly designed area for further industrial development is filling in very quickly. As a result, a more adequate transportation system was needed to relieve the crowded canals. Railway seemed the best option with bigger stations at strategic locations (in red) and supporting smaller stations (in blue). https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//AshbyQ64.JPG align=baseline> 2. NEW DEVELOPMENT ZONES Still enjoy the same success (1). Their ideal location however made them particularly attractive to commercial offices and services (2), and the high value of the land in this area has somehow discouraged residential buildings to occupy some areas. https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//AshbyQ61.JPG align=baseline> 3. CONTROLLING DENSITY In progress. The results so far are encouraging, although fewer buildings means a clear tendency to stimulate the development of bigger buildings, since the demand is not slowing down at all. (NOTE: To give a nicer touch to the ensemble I allowed myself to plop 3 buildings, circled in red in the picture) https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//AshbyQ63.JPG align=baseline> 4. ADDITIONAL NOTE: You may have notice I have tried to vary angles and zoom levels to avoid monotony. This might throw some of you but I still think it looks better. 5. PROPOSALS FOR THE NEXT PLAN 5.1. Building a state-of-the-art university in conformity with Ashby Quays' regional leading role to accomodate and/or attract a quickly growing young population tired of having to migrate to study. 5.2. Develop synergy between all factors of growth for the city, by developing commercial and residential areas closer to the industrial zone. Limiting traffic issues is another expected benefit.

That really is a VERY interesting CJ... Who said it had to be all about in-game pictures!? Gee I wish I had better English so I could write nice stories too... Keep up the good work! Can't wait for next update...!

Date: 3/12/2005 8:43:21 AM Author: dhoppeii Great Update.  I really like the way that the industrial area was layed out.  Do you plan to put any rail stations in for cargo?  I could see some of those roads becoming very clogged with truck traffic otherwise.quote> Yes there will definitely be more (and bigger) stations as the industrial area fills in, don't worry... PS: THANKS A LOT for posting a link to this CJ in your signature (a little PR is always appreciated !)

Date: 3/12/2005 8:42:37 AM Author: Shadow_Assassin Okay, that's scary. I dunno what to vote for... Good one, nonetheless, but at least get rid of those dirt streets. Well I will eventually get rid of those but if you read the CJ from the beginning, you'll see the city started as an agricultural community and a small industrial town, where neatly paved streets were not very likely to appear immediately... EDIT: YAY, PAGE 9 !!

Date: 3/11/2005 6:06:21 PM Author: sshhaa HI I Just started following this CJ and it is really intresting I was wondering if their was going to be any more conflits in the city(Like in the beggining) Anyways i wil continue to follow this city journal. It is very uniqe. It is great. quote> There could be more conflicts to come - but it's too soon to tell. You never know... I guess you'll just have to keep visiting this CJ to find out.

29/29/21/19... looks like i'll end up flipping a coin !

EXTRA TIME FOR THE POLL BY THE TIME THE POLL WAS CLOSED, RESULTS SHOWED A VERY UNIQUE 22/27/22/27 CONFIGURATION. WHICH MEANS I WILL ALLOW AN EXTRA 12 hrs TO MAKE UP YOUR MIND AND DECIDE BETWEEN OPTIONS 2 AND 4 (PLS DO NOT VOTE FOR ANY OTHER OPTION) VOTE ! NOW ! GO -> www.langlaufen.nl/poll1.htm

REPORT OF THE FIRST LUP 1. CONTROL DENSITY OF BUILDINGS The planification seems to work in specifically targeted areas (1) but does not have any significant effect on neighbouring areas which still enjoy a very high density level (2), raising major issues for public services, traffic and more generally quality of life. https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//AshbyQ51.JPG align=baseline>(1) https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//AshbyQ52.JPG align=baseline>(2) 2. DEVELOP INTERCITY AREAS A complete success. After delimitation, the central position of new areas lying between existing local urban tissues seemed to enjoy a very attractibility to both commercial and residential buildings (3). https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//AshbyQ53.JPG align=baseline>(3) 3. EXPAND CANAL-BASED INDUSTRIAL ZONE Most of the 5-year time frame was devoted to the actual building of additional canals and layout of efficient transportation systems. The area was evidently delimited west of the preexisting bridge linking the industry to the city. As a consequence, the actual time of development/building of new industrial tissue was too limited to assess final results, but first estimations show a very promising potential (4). https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//AshbyQ54.JPG align=baseline> (4) PROPOSALS FOR THE NEXT PLAN: 1. Stimulate industrial development through tax incentives 2. Carry out an ambitious policy to redesign overcrowded areas of the northern residential areas.

Wow, 28% / 25% / 25% / 22 % last time I checked... Any option can still make it !!

Date: 3/10/2005 12:34:03 PM Author: DaMaster_architect how long is the poll actually active? quote> Argh you're right, I kinda forgot to mention it! The basic idea is 24 hrs for an easy secondary poll, and 48 hrs for a more important question such as this one. So the deadline is Sat. 12th, 4AM EST (10AM GMT?... I'm really confused ) And to all, don't hesitate to add your own ideas, comments, suggestions, both for the city and for future polls. Thanks!

Date: 3/6/2005 1:12:20 PM Author: Leech10 Looks good so far, but will the raised towns stay like that when the city grows, or will they just merge with the rest of the city?quote> I thought of keeping them as historical areas but I doubt they will remain this isolated for a long time. It could be the subject of an upcoming poll actually (keep'em or destroy'em?)

THERE'S A NEW MAN IN TOWN Due to the tremendous growth of the city over the past few years, the local government (ie the Governor) decided to name a chief urbanist, who would take charge of establishing plans for further development of the city. Every 5 years proposals would be made and carried out if approved by the council. The three major decisions for the first Plan were: 1. Redesign overcrowded areas to allow more space for buildings and smoother traffic. Here is the main target area before implementation... 2. More importantly, the erratic development of small urban areas scattered here and there are considered a major drawback to the economic development. Hence priority will be given to develop new areas between existing urban centers to allow a rational transportation grid and more generally a more consistent approach to the development of the city. For the first LUP (Local Urbanization Plan) the area selected lies east of the main citadel : 3. Focus on industrial development is essential to the local economy. Canals are to be multiplied and efficiently supported by a good railway/road network. TO FIND OUT THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THIS PLAN, SEE YOU HERE TOMORROW...

CHANGES IN THE CJ To be concise: so far I posted very long updates every now and then but I don't think it is a good option. From now on, I will post DAILY updates even if they will sometimes be very short.

NEW POLL!! VOTE!! I apologize for the long interruption in this CJ. My technical problems are now solved so here is a new very important poll !!! I posted last time a general view of the city so far. Now you'll have to choose what configuration for further development would suit it best. You can choose from the following 4 options. First an overall explanation: - Since you decided this city would turn out to be the central area in the region it will mostly be devoted to high and mid-rise buildings (a CBD-like thingie) - I think it is highly unlikely that a small town of only 15,000 would have a university so I haven't built it yet. Now the population of Ashby Quays is close to 50,000 so I'll start thinking about it. But again YOU get to choose the location. I'll make the area a sort of more peaceful, low-density area which will contrast with the rest of the city. - The indication on the different options indicate what the area will MAINLY be made of. There won't be borders between commercial and residential zones, and not all of the high-density areas will be packed with tall buildings... Now it's up to you !! Again thanks to DaMaster_architect, all you need to do is go there : www.langlaufen.nl/poll1.htm and then make up your mind. (The pics are also available on the poll page) OPTION 1 https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//pollopt1.JPG align=baseline> Skyscrapers tend to concentrate on the seafront. The canal separates a dense urbanized downtown (south) and a more suburban hilly area (north). The river stimulates the development of a smaller commercial area along the banks. OPTION 2 https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//pollopt2.JPG align=baseline> The CBD develops around the canal and is surrounded by large urban residential areas. The seafront is devoted to commerce, while on the other side of the river a suburban area develops. OPTION 3 Commerce is largely concentrated around the canal, and between the canal and the river. The seafront is an upscale urban center, while across the canal and across the river develop less dense residential areas. https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//pollopt4.JPG align=baseline> Around the canal is a VERY exclusive residential area High-rise buildings, both residential and commercial, overlook the seafront. A smaller commercial area develops along the river, and between the canal and river is a regular residential zone. NOW GO VOTE !!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION !!!

BACK IN BUSINESS Hi all, sorry for the interruption... It seems my troubles with my PC are - at least temporarily - solved so here's a very small update to show where we're at so far... https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//vuegennnn.JPG align=baseline>

Date: 3/2/2005 11:47:45 AM Author: DaMaster_architect ok is this topic dead or something?quote> NO IT CERTAINLY ISN'T!!! [:0] But as I said before I have trouble with my computer crashing without reason every now and then, and it might take one or two days to fix.