SC4 Devotion Forum Archives

Welcome all to my MD! I have spent A LOT of time working on this one. It took me a near two weeks just to get the trees layed out in the region due to it being so large. There are over 256 cities in this region. The largest I have ever worked with. Most of the tiles are for aesthetic purposes only though, so don't go thinking im trying to populate all those tiles.

My style of region design is built around the principles of realism. Which are sometimes very hard to come by when it comes to Sim City. I spend a lot of time and effort and meticulous detailing on each of my cities. I may do things over and over again just so it looks right in the city. For this reason, sometimes updates may only happen once a week. This is for the sake of quality over quantity. I am not going to post a ton of pointless entries just to get views.

I spend a lot of time laying out my designs in my mind and on paper, long before they hit the mouse in-game. The layout i have now, took me several days just to map out the rail and highways. I always start with the highways, rail and major infrastructure before i do anything else. This way it creates borders for the growth to hit and it make it more realistic. I measure out the distance in miles it is in game so it can be more realistic that way too.

OK! enough blabbing... Here is Parkland!

Page 1 : (http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=2485.0)
Major Infrastructure Layout (2 images)
Some general info/plans (5 images)
Street Layout (2 images)

Page 2 : (http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=2485.20)
Street Layout Update (2 images)
Close Ups (15 images)
Region View Updates (2 images)
Region View (2 images)

This took me a long time to place the layout of this city's major infrastructure to where i thought it looked realistic.


As you can see, it consists of 2 major highways. The East/West highway, and the North/South highway. Beyond that, there are 2 major loops and three other parkways that provide access to major destinations inside the city (airport, downtown, suburbs).

There is still some improvement to be made on the end pieces on the very south of the region and the very west of the region. they al of the sudden go very straight. i am still thinking about terraforming these areas into something more than just plains. Or i might leave them and create farmland on them.

The highways and loops labeled.


As you can see, the main East West Highway is I55
The Main North South Highway is I24
The Southwest loop is I455
The Northeast loop is I255
The main parkway that links the east bank across from downtown, all the way the the west side of town to the airport is State Highway 90
The little spur that leads off of I55 is I155, a little spur parkway that link the I55 to the airport

Interesting start here, RON-E. Your highways and infrastructure look good so far, I can't wait to see how you develop the region further!

Looking intresting here Ron - E and i for sure will be checking back - pat

Interesting region and number of mods you use.

I look forward to seeing how this will develop :thumbsup:

:satisfied:
TTC

Fantastic looking region there and wonderful start! Looking forward to more...

thundercracker : thanks, i took a lot of time out for the highways, im glad they are not going un-appreciated!

patfirefghtr : thanks! stay around!

thetecat : a lot of the mods i use are for a certain look in the region, like the automata, the terrain mod, etc.

bat : thanks! stay around!

OK, so i have compiled a few pictures of the region showing where i intend to place certain things that are necessary for a real city to work.

parks, airports, malls, and military base. along with an extra. ok, i put the military base in there myself, cities don't need them to function, but bring growth and money into prospering cities.

ok, first i will start with the extra pic i was talking about. it is the direction of growth planned out. from there we will let natural growth take hold, but to build up the city to the point of natural growth, i have to layout the planned growth.

they all stem from downtown, circled in yellow, and uptown, circled in blue/purple. where the line ends, the growth and density fizzles out as it goes down that line.

all growth is outward from downtown.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FSept%2F26%2Fdirection%2520of%2520growth.jpg&hash=c73c552e8cd09fa4ac75d0bd0af4c881948b85ee)


next, the military base location

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FSept%2F26%2Fmilitary%2520base.jpg&hash=538264bdda1bbb37e905c962e5670f572cf53456)

next, the locations of the malls

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FSept%2F26%2Fmalls.jpg&hash=a182edcb238d93bc22d2e272912fa396932af5d0)

next, the location of the airport, international airport

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FSept%2F26%2Fairport.jpg&hash=ee8b934084def7d1329c29468ed63cd37c6441f9)

next and last are major parks in the region, smaller ones will be built accordingly

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FSept%2F26%2Fmajor%2520parks.jpg&hash=6c1df2da85fad7f99565dd06ef12e7c52bc91430)

some of this stuffs placement is tentative depending on growth and future plans and adjustments i might make, but i will keep you up to date!

enjoy!

A wonderful update, RON-E! Great work! :thumbsup:

That's quite an interesting region. I like how you plan the sprawl from downtown - complete with malls and parks. Cool  :thumbsup:

Really looking forward to seeing how you develope like this.  Love all the planning and realism going into it so far.  I always tried to pay attention to the spacing of cities and such things in relation to real life when building and planning regions(back when I had time to actually play the game instead of mod it &Thk/() so I really like the approach.

And the roads so far are just cool(and awefully anti-gird :thumbsup:)

Chris

Nice start Ron-e

I like to build highways and railways first too - gives a send of "direction" to the region.  I'm looking forward to seeing this one grow - good luck.

definetely the smart thing to do, like others have said, it kind of gives what you build a sense of place. In simcity it seems like cities turn out unrealistic looking because things don't really have any reason to their placement

There is a new update coming soon! RL has gotten in the way this week. I am going on vacation next week from work and will have 11 days to tinker with the city and layout all the transit. That is what I have been working on, laying out all the transit and major developments that are common in cities.

Before I make any city, i go thru my plugins folder and see what i have downloaded. Then I make a list of all the major developments i want in the city, where i want them to be, then i make them in the region, then let the development happen naturally around them.

Here is my list for this region :

• Freight Yard
• CR Yard (in distant future when popualtion garners it)
• Bus System
• Greenways
• Large Parks
• BRT and LRT (in distant future when popualtion garners it)
• Tollway
• International Airport
• Regional Airport
• Power Facilities
• Water Facilities
• Jail
• Fire Airport
• Universities
• Colleges
• Schools
• Aquarium
• Medical Center
• Marinas
• Baseball Stadium
• Army Base
• Zoo
• Malls
• Suburban Office Parks
• Farms
• Bikeway
• Golf Courses
• Theme Park
• Water Park
• Cemetaries

the long awaited street update. i have begun to layout some of the streets and avenues, etc in the region. click on the images for larger views. be warned, they are large images!

Wow, great start, looks like you've got this one thoroughly planned out. This should develop very nicely if you stick to your plan (and probably even when you don't). Your street layout looks great too, neither too repetitive nor too random. Looking forward to seeing this one develop further.

Fred

I agree with Fred : you have great plans!  Your region map is great, it will be joy to follow you deveopping this area  :satisfied:

Hey Ron love your plan of attack on the region while you got time to play lol... Cant wait to see your plans in action here... - pat

That's a nice layout for the streets! Looking forward to the development! :thumbsup:

Very nice work!

Might suggest some close-ups when you get the chance. :P

I know how hard it is to get a city looking realistic, and you've done a great job thus far.

i will try and get close-ups as soon as possible. i am trying to fill in the entire inner loop first before i start building up to much. i want the flow of the streets and everything to work out nice. i have another update, it will have to wait until tonight however because i have to go to work now, but see ou guys/gals soon with noather update, and thanks for al the comments!  :-\

RonE its no problem take your time and get some great shots... see you next update - pat

sorry for the delay, got some more updates on the region area in the inside loop. slowly but surely filling the streets in. trying to make them as realistic as possible.


don't mind the boxes. a little secret i have, well, probably not a secret, but when i am doing things like post region rendering terraforming and street layout, i take out everything from my plugins folder except my mods. (i keep them very organized) this make the cities and region load a tone faster for mundane things like this. quick tip i guess.

I am thouroughly impressed with your commitment to the small things.  I can't wait to continue reading this.  You have the start of something really special here.  Keep it up!

An amazing road network so far, even though you've hardly built anything.

Looking forward to seeing some close-ups!

Great new pictures of that layout! :thumbsup:

I know close ups have eben requested, but i have just now begun to develop the land. These are very early pictures, and much will change. but just to give you an idea of what to expect.



broadway exit off of I80 that lead directly through downtown
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FOct%2F27%2F10.jpg&hash=266567175b66992ffb48eeddc6e45e2814ac0df4)

I like to make plantings around green, un-devlopable land around exits and where streets come together
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FOct%2F27%2F12.jpg&hash=e80a6674a8fa4050442180ccab4e742449701bda)

Marlow University, still under development
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FOct%2F27%2F13.jpg&hash=9e8fe8d2a1cb5a94a7daf3ed3b453fd95ea886c0)

This are will be Midtown. an area just outside of downtown with skyscrapers and large scale developments
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FOct%2F27%2F14.jpg&hash=c40a2ec43c3bc8a544160b05a5a59484c2fe8700)

Just on the other side if I80, this is considered Hillsboro Village. A few high rises adorn this part of town. This is also known as the gay district
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FOct%2F27%2F15.jpg&hash=9fc150dcd887e53c02549d9c49fe50ec17112b01)

A cemetery right outside of downtown
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FOct%2F27%2F16.jpg&hash=e6599906218ddd0dd420d3340824f815fecb44fa)

This is the big blank area you see in the transit maps. This is Highmont Park. A vast urban park in the heart of Parkland
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FOct%2F27%2F4.jpg&hash=baac7d10a8412e4b4f335807df28659f597c3c62)

Here is a close up of some of the village
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FOct%2F27%2F5.jpg&hash=c0cb90e7f0ccbe8d4550cca4ef732bd2a8eeaaca)

A broader view of the village
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FOct%2F27%2F6.jpg&hash=1e4ca743a7a27b78a0507312e85de99977497da5)

West End exit on I24 in downtown
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FOct%2F27%2F8.jpg&hash=51a734a885fef26578897bae85c8f8d90d43014c)

A close up of some of downtown
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FOct%2F27%2F9.jpg&hash=db4f2fdf6f99a61ecb3a4752f84542d6f519da0e)

Convention Center and Arena area. Also known as the hotel district
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FOct%2F27%2FParkland-Jan.jpg&hash=7376c623edc8a06a28424817e46a3dbcd04f05f9)

Downtown at night with what is developed so far
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FOct%2F27%2FParkland-Jan2.jpg&hash=a9dee32292e7ce19fb7de85636772c480861c03f)

Some more of downtown
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FOct%2F27%2FParkland-Jan3.jpg&hash=a0fafd3f67aa7eb2ad7dbe879c2c37e2c9817517)

The skyline.... for now..... the only thing that will really change here is infill.
(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FOct%2F27%2F7.jpg&hash=44562c64fed09d727d9a2516df2ae8fa4d218fb4)

oooh, big

I hope your computer doesnt blow up :P

It's so cool to see how the planning on the first page is being turned into reality here  :thumbsup:   The city forrest just north of downtown is a great idea.

And that gay disctrict  is just .... well very well planned and very gay  ...   &dance

Wonderful development on that region! Your city is looking great so far! Fantastic work! :thumbsup:

Nice one Ron-E,

I like the skyline of downtown - just the right amount of high rises.  Ans the forest looks good there too.

sorry for the pics not showing up right now. i host them all on my own independent website, and the host has gone down temporarily. I will notify you when they come back up. lol, my whole internet life is down when that site goes down, i keep every picture i have on the net on that server.... lol...ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

<edit>              that was quick, it is back up. i am in the process of moving all my files onto another server now. i am tired of my host. so, if you view this MD and you aren't seeing some pictures, it is only temporary!              <edit>

OK! good news, new update on the region view, made some more roads, there is one satellite city beginning to develop too.

you can click on the images for larger views, but be warned, they are very large files!

Great job!  Like I said earlier you have a great eye for detail and love looking in here and seeing what your doing.  Kepp up with what your doing it is great.

Nice progress on that map! :thumbsup:

Ron you have some great progress here and wonderful devolpment going on as well!!! pretty darn good job here, keep it up - pat

The region is looking fantastic, RON-E! I love your transportation networks! I'll be looking forward to seeing you everything develops!

looking great &apls

ok, finaly got a new region view shot for you! enjoy!

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FNov%2F9%2FParkland1small.jpg&hash=610cd0137ae6e363e2d29fe1da905e4838f25fbd) (http://www.ronniecity.com/cj/parkland/updates/2007/Nov/9/Parkland1.jpg)


(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FNov%2F9%2FParkland1Tsmall.jpg&hash=1038980e8b9a8ffb300a3788d77db95b3f824901) (http://www.ronniecity.com/cj/parkland/updates/2007/Nov/9/Parkland1T.jpg)

Excellent progress you've made here &apls. Great transportation layout. I was just wondering what your plans for public transport will be? but your attention to detail shows through so I am sure you will cover this without any problems

will be checking back in for more :thumbsup:

:satisfied:
TTC




PS Welcome to Page3

i plan out my mass transit too, but not releasing it yet. that will be further part of the MD

Hey, i know it has been forever, but real life gets in the way, and it takes a lot of work to make something like this.

there have been quite a few changes to the map since the last time you guys saw it. here it is, i will explain changes after the pics.

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FDec%2F14%2FParklandsmall.jpg&hash=8616ff689051dd797210afbd768ab5857ed02ad2) (http://www.ronniecity.com/cj/parkland/updates/2007/Dec/14/Parkland.jpg)

(https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ronniecity.com%2Fcj%2Fparkland%2Fupdates%2F2007%2FDec%2F14%2FParklandTsmall.jpg&hash=90040e3ba8557f33f1d91cb5d8cb5e7c5862bf4f) (http://www.ronniecity.com/cj/parkland/updates/2007/Dec/14/ParklandT.jpg)

OK! i have been working on the transit a lot. i have a lot of the north of the city done, and inside the second loop. i have also been working on the airport, which as you can see, has been moved the the southeast of the city. much better terrain to build the airport. things change. still staying to realism though. enjoy!

Wonderful changes there! Looking forward to more of this great region...

Great region views Ron, you have sure been busy laying out the roads and streets in the region! It would be interesting to see some more details from the city though...

I love the realism, can't wait to see the burbs!  ;D