Gameplay

The aim in SimCity 4 is, just as in the various predecessors, to give thousands (in the long run millions) of people, a place to settle, to find work, to educate themselves and to spend their free time. You, as a major, are now up to lay the basis for growth and development in your city, the residential, commercial and industrial buildings are built by the Sims theirselves. Up to this the game is similar to the actual profession of urban planners - of course in a playful way. During the game you will often be the observer of your city, which is presented in a high richness of details.
There are three types of land-use-categories (residential, commercial and industrial sites). Each of this offers three different density types (in the industrial sector two density levels plus agricultural land) available. In the graphic at the right side you see a mix of uses (high-tech industry, office and residential uses).

Infrastructure

By determining the construction areas you will face development costs, just like in real life: In addition to the necessary connection of construction areas to the road network all uses need electricity and residential, commercial and higher-quality industrial buildings as well have to be supplied with water. The disposal of garbage is quickly needed too.
In addition to this primary infrastructure you quickly face the necessity of other facilities to improve the social environment for the residents of the city. This so-called secondary infrastructure includes, for example, schools, hospitals, police, fire and cultural facilities.
One should always proceed cautiously, for the purchase of individual institutions is quite cheap, while the monthly payment is getting more expensive rapidly and can lead to giant holes in the city budget early in the game.

Further Development

Is the situation intensivly threatening the city treasury, the state helps the mayor with dubious offers of assistance. He can provide areas for a rocket site, a state prison or toxic waste dumps in his city, which grantes a monthly ompensation, which often is quite worth it. The sites, however, disturb the residents in their positive development.
If the development of the population is positive, which for example means they gain in wealth, the tax revenues increase and the cities budget can consolidate. However, wealthier citizens put much more emphasis on meeting their needs for primary and secondary infrastructure.
For the success you get bonuses, such as statues, a city hall or an opera, which also have to be placed in the city to delight the residents with special attractions and to get more recreational facilities and so on. Not every question about the development of demand and prosperity in the city can be answered. Despite of extensive statistics and map-modi you will never know exactly what the mayor rating depends on or why the average age is only at 40-50 years in spite of a perfect health care system.

Formation of regions

Regions in SimCity 4 consist of up to 64 individual maps, distinguished by three different sizes. Each city of the region, as can be seen on the screenshot, is to be connected to its neighbors: Power and water lines, roads, avenues, subways, elevated trains and railways can be run over the city limits and link them. Once connected the cities are able to trade with each other: the mutual help in the fields of waste recycling, water- and power-supply can be set by a neighborhood-trading-menu.

Expansion-Package Rush Hour

Rush Hour contributes to the perfection of the transport system significantly. For this purpose you receive several new options for your transportation system. This includes, for example, one-way streets, alleys, elevated train infrastructure or ferry port facilities. Furthermore new statistics are made available by which one gets a good overview of the cities traffic. Some practices of the inhabitants, however, will continue to drive you crazy.
Moreover, vehicles can now be controlled by the mayor to fullfill missions in their own city. Roads can be named and signs can be set up to water, city-districts or mountain heights.