Trade and visitors

The city is connected to a region beyond the map. Shops compete for spending, industry needs access to markets, and passenger terminals can bring visitors to attractions. Transport capacity and travel time affect all three.

Shops and customers

Local and regional shops compete for customers by accessibility and capacity.

A shop with too little trade may not support all its jobs. Adding more commercial zoning can divide the existing customer base instead of creating new demand. Check Economy → Business, the Market layer and access from homes and workplaces.

Industry and cargo

Factories need workers and access to markets for their goods. Their road routes, freight connections and gateway capacity affect how much trade can take place. Keep their routes connected while separating pollution and noise from housing.

A cargo port adds a freight gateway. Its site needs suitable land, berth water and a clear water approach, as well as road access for the land side.

Read its inspector and compare the Market and Road traffic layers before building another port. A bottleneck on the connecting road can remain even when the quay has room.

Passenger ports and airports

Passenger ports and airports connect the city to the region. Ports reserve water for berths and ship approaches.

Services → Visitors and terminal inspectors show arrivals and capacity use.

Attractions and visits

Visitors are drawn by attractions they can reach from the terminal. Major museums, concert halls, sports venues, landmark office towers and sufficiently large parks can contribute. Smaller neighbourhood facilities are useful to residents without necessarily being tourist destinations.

Visitors generate trips, buy from shops and use venue capacity, sometimes leaving fewer places for residents.

Connect terminals to attractions with walking routes, buses or metro to reduce road traffic.

Arcade unlocks

Passenger ports first unlock at 50,000 residents, cargo ports at 75,000 and airports at 100,000. Larger sizes unlock later. Simulation offers these facilities from the start.

See Transport and parking for trip access and Utilities for regional supply contracts.