SimCity 3000 Hints & Tips

What is the city center effect?

Written By: Rand Huck
Tuesday, May 9, 2000

The algorithms SimCity3000 has are very complex. More complex than you think, and if you think land values are only based on the amount of parks you put in your neighborhood, then you are in for a surprise!

The city center effect is perhaps the most influence on land values, and yet people don't know about it, so they don't take advantage. The basic definition of this formula is:

The geographical center of your city has about 6 times the landvalues of the default.


When we say 'geographical center', we don't mean the center of your map. We mean the center of development of your city. For example:



The green in the picture above represents the map. This is your city limits. The blue represents the developed parts of your city. (Zones don't matter), and the red dot is the center of this blue, developed shape. That is the city center. It's not the center of the map, but the city itself.

That red dot, if used the right way, will make your land values soar through the top. So, this is the best place for your downtown, and is another reason you should put your industry at the edge of the map.

« Return to the SimCity 3000 Hints & Tips index