Citizen Behavior/Interests Expansion

[IronEyeballs]

The other day I was studying the road layout of a planned residential/retail center near where I live.

The project was quite successful but defied what we would consider basic citizen behavior in CS.


The development placed retail centers further from the “through” road while placing residential buildings closer. In addition, nightclubs and bars were placed further from the main road as well.

Plentiful parking was provided for consumers in the form of large, dense parking garages near the primary arterial. People would park close to their destination and then continue by walking the slightly curvy avenues (complete with large, decorated sidewalks) in order to reach it.


It created pedestrian friendly roads (still accessible by car mind you) by ensuring none of the access roads allowed through traffic and by using curving, crooked roads and traffic calming devices to slow cars. It would encourage walking/browsing by providing easy access between stores without motorized obstacles.


People happily live in nearby apartments/condominiums despite noise associated with incoming shoppers and bar-hoppers. It would seem people would much rather live in an area adjacent to entertainment/shopping in this case than one of quiet isolation. In fact, I’m under the impression people there enjoy the bustle of the surrounding nightlife.


I couldn’t help but think of citizen happiness and interests. I wonder if it is possible to expand upon the needs of our cities inhabitants. Could we have differing desires amongst citizens? Perhaps some citizens prefer peace and quiet while others seek the action and romance of the city?


Is it possible to change the game in order to reflect these different behaviors?


Would anyone else like to see citizen needs/interests expanded upon?

 

[Radltruhe]

Yes, good idea. Atm every citizen likes everything. What came to my mind:
Elderly people next to a playground is often a problem. They complain about noise pollution but children need a place to play, run, shout, .. Just a place to be a kid. Elderly might really like a botanical garden park where young people would like to see a casino, places to go out for fun, bars, ... It would make sense to design destricts for families, singles, seniors, ...
Some might be religious and demand a church but hate a red light district.

The persons are already simulated, because in the info layer you see that a house contains mostly families, old people, ...

I could imagine, that unique buildings have several new stats fitting the needs of each group and go in conflict with some, so not everyone shows a happy face by placing a building. It would be nice if the player has to care about that situation.

 

[DocDesastro]

And, it would additionally explain why person X want to go and this will influence traffic. I really like that idea.

 

[IronEyeballs]

I could imagine, that unique buildings have several new stats fitting the needs of each group and go in conflict with some, so not everyone shows a happy face by placing a building. It would be nice if the player has to care about that situation.

That would add a welcomed extra layer of player involvement. Learning to carefully place zones and structures in order to maximize citizen happiness for all would be an interesting challenge.

I wonder if building stats could also alter local habitation by influencing the type of citizens to populate an area. That is to say, change the type of housing to fit the ideal area residents.

For example: Residential zones with relatively easy access to a University and fairly low prices can produce housing to suit citizens (students/teachers) who would benefit most by living there. High density zones could produce apartments and dormitories while low density could create fraternity/sorority houses.

Having different styles of dwellings to suit the inhabitants might add a bit of depth to our cities.

And, it would additionally explain why person X want to go and this will influence traffic. I really like that idea.

Oh, that would be neat. It would require more deliberation behind the placement of parks and leisure structures. Citizens from one neighborhood may be more likely to travel to leisure/commerical zones fitting their tastes. Maybe even jobs fitting their skills.
Haha, imagine ensuring direct access between a Bingo Hall and a Retirement Community.
Woah, you could even create transit lines connecting neighborhoods with a high number of young citizens to bars and nightclubs.