Westfield passed 10,000 citizens but the population kept fluctuating because there weren't enough educated workers. The answer is a trade school campus on a national road with a small two-lane roundabout, walkways and a bus line. Childcare and child health follow, plus mixed residential-commercial zoning, workers' barracks for the farms, and almost 12,000 citizens.
What happens in this episode
In the episode before this one, the roundabout got props, the Japanese park was finished, and saunas went in around the city. Westfield passed 10,000 citizens a few game weeks ago, but the number kept going up and down. The info views showed the reason: not enough educated workers.
How it was built
A campus off the national road
A university felt early, but it was needed. The spot is near a planned future commuter station. National roads link the parts of the city, and a small two-lane roundabout connects the new area. (Some builders use square block layouts for traffic, but I’m not doing that here.) The campus area is painted roughly; it can always be optimised later.
The trade school
The only option was a trade school. The administration building is expensive, but it unlocks the rest: study hall, dormitory, book club and more. Walkways let students cross the campus easily, and a bus line connects it to the city. Too many buses came at first, but the budget could take it. Soon 180 students lived in the dormitory, and tuition fees and the academic year kicked in.
Healthcare and a mixed layout
A childcare centre and child health centre followed. I like a mixed layout of homes, shops and work close together, because a short way to work is something I prefer in real life too. Parking is banned in the roundabout, as everywhere it matters.
Past 11,000
The plaza went in and Westfield made the leap above 11,000, unlocking trains, monorails and more unique buildings. The farms got workers’ barracks, a large barn and more produce lines (flour, milk, pigs). With almost a million in the bank, the session ends just under 12,000 citizens.
Video chapters
- 00:0010,000 — and fluctuating
- 03:20National road and a two-lane roundabout
- 07:37Trade school administration building
- 10:37Walkways and a campus bus line
- 14:02Students, sports and tuition
- 17:26Child health and a mixed layout
- 28:48Past 11,000: unlocks and farm buildings
- 41:12Almost 12,000
Clicking a chapter starts the video above at that point.
FAQ
Why does my population keep going up and down in Cities: Skylines?
In Westfield it was a lack of educated workers. Building a trade school campus stabilised it and the city grew past 11,000.
How do you start a campus area?
Paint a campus area, then place the administration building first. It unlocks the study halls, dormitories and other campus buildings.
Should I allow parking in roundabouts?
No. I ban parking in roundabouts everywhere, even where I allow it elsewhere on the street.