Here is how it works.
Each of the outer blocks (at the top and the bottom) is a 52-tile loop with only one intersection, and this intersection only has a 1-square length. This means that these blocks will get complete coverage no matter how the block is orientated. Both blocks have two access points, so they can be serviced from either (or both) direction(s). Both blocks contain all of the services, desirability and entertainment points necessary to evolve to Elegant Residences, and all of the health structures required for “perfect” coverage. (Actually, I suspect that “teleporting” entertainers from the pavilions would allow the entire block to evolve to Fancy Residence.)
Add the center block, and you have all of the cultural requirements and entertainment points for a Culture Rating of 100% for up to 4,200 people. Plus the additional entertainment points provided by the center block and access to the third temple will allow some of the housing to evolve all the way to Stately Manors. (The Manors have been shown in the upper block only, but both blocks would evolve this way if the small “control” statues were removed.)
The “key” to this design is the bazaar in the center block. With it you can control how you want your housing to evolve. Examples:
1) Set the bazaars in the outer blocks to buy only food and pottery for the houses to evolve to Spacious Homesteads. Set the center bazaar to only buy beer, and the houses covered by this bazaar will evolve to Common Residences. Set the center bazaar to buy only beer and a second type of food, and the covered houses will evolve to Spacious Residences.
2) Set the bazaars in the outer blocks to buy only food, pottery and beer for the houses to evolve to Common Residences. Set the center bazaar to buy only linen and a second type of food, and the houses covered by this bazaar will evolve to Fancy Residences.
3) Set the bazaars in the outer blocks to buy two types of food, pottery and beer for the houses to evolve to Spacious Residences. Set the center bazaar to buy only linen and luxury goods, and the houses covered by this bazaar will evolve to Stately Manors (if you remove the “control” statues).
Also, you could set the bazaars in the two outer blocks to buy different things, for even more options. The combinations are almost endless, and should fit almost any requirement.
The maximum population for this block, if all houses were Spacious Homesteads would be 3,264. The maximum population for this block, if all houses were Fancy Residences would be 4,416. (The shrines along the roads at the top and bottom of the diagram are only necessary if you want to evolve these houses to Fancy Residences. For all levels below Fancy Residence, small statues and gardens will be fine.) All other combinations would fall within these limits.
The only concern that I have for this design is that, with all of the intersections in the center block, the walkers from the bazaar and senet house might not make the complete loop. I will test the coverage on the center block and report back on what I find.
Remember, the block doesn’t have to be this large. You don’t have to design for 100% Culture Ratings. You don’t have to have “perfect” entertainment and health coverage. The important part of this post is the advantage of having the additional bazaar in the center block that can supply different goods to a portion of the houses in the outer blocks. If the center block contained nothing but a bazaar, a pavilion, a temple, a fire warden and an architect, you would still have most of the options that I outlined here.
Any questions? (I’ve been working on this concept, design and post for almost 7 hours. I’ll proof read it tomorrow. Good night.)
[This message has been edited by VitruviusAIA (edited 01-11-2001).]