Realism and Fantasy in SimCity

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PUP 301 Introduction to Urban Planning
Final Project—Realism and Fantasy in SimCity
Assignment Overview
The final project for the semester challenges you to critically examine the realism and fantasy of the popular
urban simulation game SimCity.* Over the next few weeks, you will construct cities utilizing the software,
assess the way in which urban planning decisions are simulated in the game, and analyze how well reality is
replicated in these situations. (This project is worth a total of 200 points.)
*SimCity 4.0 (or earlier versions), as well as Cities Skylines are acceptable for this project. Other alternative urban simulators may be acceptable,
pending advanced approval from the instructor. Note that the instructions below are based on the most recent SimCity (2013) version.
Downloading SimCity
First you will need to download the software to your device. SimCity* can be purchased and downloaded at
https://www.origin.com/en-us/store/buy/simcity-2013-/mac-pc-download/base-game/standard-edition
The standard edition ($19.99) requires online access during play, while the complete edition ($29.99) can be
played offline. (Note that you will need to download both SimCity and Origin, which is used to access the
online version of the game.) *Earlier SimCity versions and Cities Skylines are also available for purchase via online retailers.
IMPORTANT: Be sure to check the system requirements and capability of your device before purchasing the
game, particularly for Mac users. An alternative urban simulator may be necessary in some cases.
To share the cost burden, you are allowed to complete the city-building stages of this project in teams of two
students (and hence only need one download). You must, however, submit individual written reports.
Student who lack access to a device for downloading the game, should contact the instructor for assistance.
Completing the Project
This project will be completed in four phases, with a deliverable due at the end of each phase. For each
phase, you will plan and build a new city, based on the objectives outlined on the following pages. As you
build your cities and are confronted with urban planning dilemmas, ask yourself the following questions:
 How does it happen in real life?
 How is it simulated in the game?
 Is it realistic? What is unrealistic or missing?
The following four pages contain the specific instructions for each of the four deliverables.
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City 1—Tiny Town (Due October 10th)
During this phase, you will practice “playing the game” and becoming familiar with its basic features. You will
start assessing the way in which decisions are made (e.g. zoning decisions, infrastructure investments,
revenue-generation, public service provision, etc.), and the simulated implications of these decisions.
Opening SimCity
 First, log on to Origin. Look for the icon that looks like this .
 From Origin, open SimCity listed under “My Games” and select the “Single Player” option.
 Create a game, using whichever region you prefer.
 For this first phase, select the “sandbox mode” to make things easy (for now).
 Select a site location.
Since the objective of this project is to assess how well SimCity simulates real urban life, you will not receive
any further instructions about “playing” the game. SimCity provides an introductory walk-through that is
helpful for new users. Also, the instruction manual (at http://www.simcity.com/en_US/manual) is useful.
The Planning Phase
Develop a plan for an ideal small city that would contain all key infrastructure and public services necessary.
Your city must include each of the following elements:
 Zoning—residential, industrial, and commercial
 Basic infrastructure—streets (of various sizes), power, water, and sewage
 Basic services—garbage collection, fire and police protection, health care, and primary education
 Amenities—parks
Sketch out (at least in your mind) where you would locate these features in relation to one another.
The Construction Phase
Build your city until you reach a population of at least 10,000 residents, with all the key elements listed above.
(Hint: Changing the speed to “cheetah” mode, bottom-left corner of the screen, will get you there faster.)
Change the name of the city, so that it clearly includes your name in the city name (example: Joe’s Tiny Town).
If working in teams, use both names.
Take a screenshot of your city (and name). To take a screenshot, hold down the “c” button on the keyboard.
Be sure to note the listed location where the screenshot is saved, so you can locate it later.
You are also encouraged to take screenshots of your city that illustrate the realistic (and unrealistic) features of
the game, for use in your final report at the end of the semester.
The Reporting Phase
Write a brief (maximum 1-page single-spaced) report that addresses the following:
 Briefly describe your original plan for the city.
 Discuss the ways in which your city did and did not achieve your planned objectives.
 Discuss the biggest difficulties you ran into while developing your city according to plan, and how you
attempted to overcome these difficulties.
 Include your screenshot in your report.
Submit your report via the link on Blackboard under the “Final Project” tab.
Due by Midnight (note this is different from other deliverables) on October 10th. (Worth 30 points)
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City 2—Growthopolis (Due October 24th)
During this phase, you will analyze how well the game simulates issues relating to urban growth.
Create a new city, naming it after yourself (example: Joe’s Growthopolis).
For this phase, continue to work in “Sandbox” mode to keep things simple.
The Planning Phase
Develop a plan for your city, with the primary objective of population and economic growth.
Success will be measured by the following indicators:
 Population growth
 Job growth
 Industrial and commercial growth
 Income and fiscal growth
Sketch out (at least in your mind) how you will attract population, drive economic growth, and increase city
revenue in the process. Consider which available resources you will take advantage of, what type of industry
and work force you will try to attract, and the general layout of your city.
The Construction Phase
Build your city until you reach a population of at least 100,000 residents (more if possible), with a strong
economy and revenue.
Take screenshots of each of the following:
 Screenshot of city (and name)
 Population table* (showing population, worker, and industrial freight info)
 City budget table* (showing all income and expenses)
*If using an alternative simulator, examine what relevant data are available and provide screenshots of those in your report.
You are also encouraged to take screenshots of your city that illustrate the realistic (and unrealistic) features of
the game, for use in your final report at the end of the semester.
The Reporting Phase
Write a brief (maximum 1-page single-spaced) report that addresses the following:
 Briefly describe your original plan for the city.
 Discuss the ways in which your city did and did not achieve your planned objectives.
 Discuss the biggest difficulties you ran into while developing your city according to plan, and how you
attempted to overcome these difficulties.
 Include your screenshots in your report.
Submit your report via the link on Blackboard under the “Final Project” tab.
Due by 4:30PM on October 24th. (Worth 30 points)
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City 3—Sustainabilicity (Due November 7th)
During this phase you will analyze how well the game simulates issues relating to sustainability.
Create a new city, naming it after yourself (example: Joe’s Sustainabilicity).
For this phase, DO NOT work in “Sandbox” mode (to make things more realistic).
The Planning Phase
Develop a plan for your city, with the primary objective of sustainability.
Success will be measured by the following indicators:
 Approval rating
 Balanced budget and fiscal health
 Provision of transit services
 Preserved open space (not including parks)
 Elimination of homelessness
In addition, if using SimCity,* control for the following factors
 Job-worker balance (minimal unemployment and unfilled jobs)
 Commercial health (minimal unsatisfied shoppers and unsold goods)
 Industrial health (minimal unsatisfied freight demand and unfulfilled freight orders)
*If using an alternative simulator, examine what relevant data are available.
Sketch out (at least in your mind) how you will create a sustainable city that meets these goals. Consider the
layout of your city, and how you plan to address anticipated environmental, economic, and social issues.
The Construction Phase
Build your city until you reach a population of at least 50,000 residents, with transit provided and open space
maintained, and have achieved (or at least attempted to achieve) your sustainability goals.
Take screenshots of each of the following:
 Screenshot of city (and name)
 Approval rating*
 City budget table* (showing all income and expenses)
 Population table* (showing worker, shopper, and industrial freight info, and homeless population)
*If using an alternative simulator, examine what relevant data are available and provide screenshots of those in your report.
You are also encouraged to take screenshots of your city that illustrate the realistic (and unrealistic) features of
the game, for use in your final report at the end of the semester.
The Reporting Phase
Write a brief (maximum 1-page single-spaced) report that addresses the following:
 Briefly describe your original plan for the city.
 Discuss the ways in which your city did and did not achieve your planned objectives.
 Discuss the biggest difficulties you ran into while developing your city according to plan, and how you
attempted to overcome these difficulties.
 Include your screenshots in your report.
Submit your report via the link on Blackboard under the “Final Project” tab.
Due by 4:30PM on November 7th. (Worth 30 points)
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Final Report—Critical Analysis and Evaluation of SimCity (Due November 21st)
Now that you had the opportunity to build some cities with SimCity, and have experienced the urban
problems simulated and the responses available, it is time to evaluate the realism of the game.
Your final written report should present a critical analysis of how well the game replicates the challenges of
planning a city in real life. You should evaluate how realistically the game simulates complex urban systems
and decision-making by addressing the following questions:
 How does it happen in real life?
 How is it simulated in the game?
 Is it realistic? What is unrealistic or missing?
Potential topics to consider in your final report include any of those listed below (to name a few). Emphasize
those that you feel were very well replicated, as well as those that were poorly simulated in the game:
 The interconnectedness and complexity of urban issues
 The wicked and political nature of urban issues
 The influence of private stakeholders on planning decisions
 The use of government takings (eminent domain)
 The use of land use controls (zoning and zoning amendments)
 The provision of public services and infrastructure through public capital investments
 Sources of revenue for local government (taxes, bonds, etc.)
 Concerns regarding urban design and the public realm
 Strategies for handling urban transportation needs for various modes
 Provision of affordable housing and issues of gentrification and homelessness
 Strategies for promoting community development in declining neighborhoods
 Factors affecting economic health and strategies for promoting economic growth
 Environmental and resource problems and strategies for dealing with these issues
 Issues associated with population growth and strategies for growth management
You are encouraged to use screenshots from your SimCity games that illustrate the features (or lack of) that
you discuss in your report.
Your final written report should be roughly 3-4 single-spaced pages in length (not including screenshots), with
a space between paragraphs.
Your report must be structured using the following headings and subheadings:
 Introduction
 <Name of First Urban Issue>
 Reality
 Simulation
 Realism
 <Name of Second Urban Issue>
(Continue as above…)
 Conclusion
Thoroughly proofread for spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors. Reports containing excessive
proofreading errors will not be accepted for credit.
Submit your final written report via the link on Blackboard under the “Final Project” tab.
Due Wednesday night, November 21st by midnight. NO late reports will be accepted. (Worth 110 points)