Making an Entire Downtown Respect the Topography in the City That I Abandoned 2706 Days Ago!

[@coltondewberry585]

every saturday I sleep in, walk to the coffee shop to get me a almond croissant, and then come home to watch phil play city skylines. just as my father had done and his father before him

[@victhefoxygamer]

A true generational tradition

[@obi-wantpastrami8745]

Of course back then, they had to watch it on a piece of wood. And before that...... cave paintings.

[@Julien_Fedon]

Bluffside is only passed by oral tradition now.

[@Glasstable2011]

You were lucky, in my day they didn’t have almonds so they put almond sized stones in croissants instead. Of course they didn’t call them croissants back then because France hadn’t been invented

[@dulguunjargal1199]

When i read "Phil Play" i accidentally thought about "Phly Daily" a War Thunder KZbinr. I play that game way too much

[@paperaddict3756]

Phil : I'm not going to go ham with landscaping. Everyone, Including Editor Phil : I'll believe it when I see it.

[@jbeegs27]

I think this city has a ton of potential for cable cars. Both down to the convention center and harbor and up to the mountain peak.

[@vinnie4125]

I agree, some cable cars would really help people get around town. I hope Phil considers it.

[@CityPlannerPlays]

Great idea!!

[@michaelfoland2007]

Cable Cars would be AMAZING!

[@TinoXIII]

I just saw this and agree. a Cable car would be great to give people a way out of that area if something happens to the one road out of that area.

[@4rkang31]

Hi Phil! In Evergreen, there's a fire station from Hearts of Korea that has the angle of the road next to it. I have made it my life's mission to ask you to move it over ever so slightly.

[@Seth_Barker]

Man’s determined to have it moved lol 😂

[@CityPlannerPlays]

Haha, we'll get that moved!

[@4rkang31]

@@CityPlannerPlays Yes!

[@herbie_the_hillbillie_goat]

Imagine a real life town meeting: "I propose we move the fire hall about 5 feet to the left. All in favor?" 😂

[@TheScania1991]

@@herbie_the_hillbillie_goat "The height of realism" -CPP, probably

[@asliceofloaf1984]

That real estate next to the convention center with the parking ramp looks so valuable that I think developers would make a multi-level underground parking facility across from the hall just to be able to develop that land properly. Would be cool if you moved the ramp into the cliff somehow, or at least made it look like underground parking, and developed the former area as residential or office land or something

[@jimmypickins]

❤🎉 I normally don't comment, but I want your engagement to be amazing, so you are an exception. When I was broke and my PC couldn't run CS, you and Biffa provided litteral hours of entertainment and learning. Your channel specifically has taught me so much about making cities work in this game, including putting the water pipes where they belong. Best of luck sir!

[@Irrevatic]

I know you're looking for an editor, but I love how you're able to include humor and retrospection as the editor. I'm glad you're able to develop your style before hiring external help. I love the direction you've been taking with all of your series and hope you're able to find someone who can bring more amazing videos to us!!

[@JeredtheShy]

The place where Residential ended up reminded me that boy, I really wish we could place pedestrian stairs. A lovely staircase from the Residential up to the downtown where everyone would likely work would be great, and so, so many real cities do stuff like that when hills are involved.

[@EU_DHD]

15:40 Suggestion: Have parking before the conference centre so that the road can be used for buses and taxis without being hindered by people driving to and from parking. The place where you turn around can be a place for buses and taxis to wait for travellers as well as a park for people on a day off. Maybe it has a single restaurant/kiosk where you can buy ice cream for kids and food for the drivers on break during conferences.

[@frenchfriar]

Loved everything, except... at around 32:30, when you move that one tower over by the baseball stadium, you block a lovely spire behind it. You should swap those two buildings out, so the shorter spire is still visible from the water. As placed, it feels claustrophobic, when if swapped, both buildings could shine on their own. With that exception, everything else was great!

[@Ghiaman1334]

44:44 "It's really tempting to go ham" *sound of the largest hock of ham you've ever seen slamming onto the table* XD Hey, if anything's worth going ham on, it's green and walkable spaces. Also I like to imagine Phil ending his Urban Planning meetings with the board like he ends his videos, especially with the 'buh-bye' xD

[@briankosmoski4782]

Love seeing the local touch of adding the terrace!

[@CityPlannerPlays]

It's such a great asset!!

[@briankosmoski4782]

Does the scale of it seem just a bit small, especially next to the parking ramp? Or

[@Crafter_H]

Local Madisonian here! Love to see local touches added! Love how it even has the bike elevator on the right side.

[@pashbarak]

Might be good to swap the tower you moved @ 33min with the pyramid-shaped one that's behind it. That way it won't be hidden, and will give some progression of height up from the edge.

[@steel_001]

out of all the things you've done, this project has been the one I look forward to the most. I've never been good at making things feel organic, this feels like your taking one of my cities and making it look real. absolutely love it man

[@aitorcordero9864]

Whenever you do the transit episode, you should add cable cars, one near the monona Terrace and the other near the residential area

[@PhilMcPhil]

Seconding the idea that this build could make judicious use of cable cars

[@jono_cc2258]

As someone who’s only had a fleeting encounter with City Skylines I really do enjoy seeing you tackle all the issues and the reasoning behind what you do. Might be time to jump on board again when CS2 comes out!

[@liamoneill8842]

Why wait. CS1 with the best DLC's and about 20 QOL mods is an awesome game. Plenty of tuts.

[@MihitsTilozi]

This is my favorite series, because the old city looks like the ones I build, and watching you fix it gives me so many ideas for how to go and fix my cities!

[@PlanesPlease]

My thoughts too! Makes me now pay more attention to how I want to plan my cities. Normally I’m just going for the next milestone…

[@fishman501]

I never knew Phil was a member of the Ministry of Topography Respecting

[@wm-nu1yf]

I agree. Other people can say whatever they want, but that building will always be the Sears Tower to me.

[@nspring06]

The one thing I like about this series is that it shows that even in the absolute worst locations for building, it's possible to make it work.

[@SethDueck]

I watched this video a while after it came out, and now it popped up again and Im rewatching it

[@momentogabe]

I was thinking that small district with the sears tower and the bean (or the whole downtown really) could be called something like Little Chicago, just because of how many Chicago buildings are located there 🌆

[@s-upper]

everytime the video starts it almost feels like a dad teaching you how to play his favourite game on sunday evening and explaining everything he knows and actually making you engaged into it

[@andrewswanepoel581]

Since the Downtown has so many slopes, it may make sense to put in cable cars. Maybe one from next to the Monona Terrace upwards

[@showbitz1]

I really love the difference in yours and biffas play style Cp: gonna have a chill day guys and where gonna move this to this over here Biffa: omg the traffic is all wonky wiggly *sips tea* hugo here! 😂😂😂

[@saschaz.8243]

Much better than before. Oh and and the „Sledgehammer“ had me giggling way more than it should have 😂🙈

[@MrBmnmtfk]

You should switch the positions of the pyramid type building and the tall skinny one near the Sears (never Willis) tower. Because currently the pyramid building feels claustrophobic sitting between two huge towers.

[@Saladan0]

Hi Phil! Wanted to toss in a suggestion. The aquarium is in an akward location, but its so close to being perfect. I suggest sticking it off the side of the coast a bit near the ship metro location. Inspiration is the Seattle aquarium which is located on the water front. This would free up space on the upper part of the "cake"!

[@MundaneParticle]

Yes! The actual building is also on the waterfront in the harbor in Osaka. But this part of the Osaka aquarium isn't on the street. It's set out in the corner of the property. So that's probably why it's hard to find the front because technically, there is no front.

[@prypiatshadow]

Not ganna lie, the organization of the new downtown is better, however, it feels unnatural, weird, and I kinda prefer the old one's character. The absence of most offices or commercial buildings, as well as the large open plots of land, and the random small, out of place stadiums absolutely ruin it (that and some statues). Realistically, the downtown is supposed to be a sought after, high density filled part of town, with tons of buildings. Honestly, its not hard to fix, using up any left up space, removing a couple of monuments and placing offices, as well as removing the stadiums and adding buildings there would make it look so much better. But still, great work, and a good video, keep up the good work!

[@Guy--kh4ok]

As a Wisconsinite myself, I did a silent fistpump when you added the Monona Terrace. I grew up in Madison, and it is personally my favorite location to visit when we visit the city.

[@DCVM93]

Phil, for the sake of engagement and my love of baseball, please move that tower in front of the baseball stadium, and you need a parking structure nearby! The tower will either cause terrible shadowing in the stadium, or terrible glare from all that glass! A pro stadium would need a dedicated parking structure, as well as hotels and other visitors supporting businesses. A huge skyscraper in the middle of that view pains me in my soul!😢 Even just over slightly into that triangular area across the road would be a big improvement

[@whatdoiputhere--]

That 3 options in the beginning about engagement sounds super organic! This one's it!

[@YYCUrban]

I don't know how but you make everything look so good everytime!

[@Baybebona]

The editing at the end was fire. I loved that side by side comparison. You’re doing soooo good ty for the inspo 🫡

[@dmore]

The difference in quality between the old and new area is just astounding and really shows what careful consideration can do. Not to mention respecting your topography! ❤

[@CyC61]

amazing video as always! great job phil!

[@Timtam99]

Just so you know Phil, your channel is the only one where I always make sure to comment on every time ❤

[@ondrejkratochvil4589]

That literally calls for a cable car from the ferry terminal up into the city and to the conference center :) also I like that the downtown is up, while the uptown is down 🤣

[@CoutureCW]

Sorta crazy how your content never disappoints. On paper, consistent long format videos would definitely see hits and misses here and there, with some of it feeling like filling content... But the mix of your personality, your in-game and general knowledge/skill, your natural editing... Everything works so well while keeping such great quality. I rarely comment, but when your videos pop up, I know that I'm gonna have a good time. I get some tea, sit down, relax and watch. Keep up the awesome work!

[@gyngertano5409]

I loooove this series so much. If you have more old cities that need updating, please bring them to the channel!

[@inakisoberon9132]

Today's city tour was great, I love the edit comparison between the before and after.

[@elijaha773]

You really like the sunken metro station! Like with the Mass Transit train station, it is very overkill. I would have advocated for a more modest metro station with an intercity bus terminal.

[@simongeard4824]

Especially given the location... being half surrounded by cliffs means most of the platforms will not be usable.

[@joshwarner9208]

It looks so much better! It's amazing how much your play style has changed over the years! Thanks for resurrecting this build! Keep up the great work!

[@abfruits]

Aw man, I loved this build! That terrace is fantastic! This series is an awesome example of how to do way more with less.

[@Mason-Berry]

These videos really give me a zen feeling and make me super relaxed. I just really appreciate all the thought and explanation you put into why you do things, and it just makes my brain happy. Thanks for all your effort.

[@Adam-gj3dn]

I hardly ever comment but doing so now for engagement AND most importantly because this is my favorite series you've ever done. Love it! Keep it up please!

[@KittyCourt]

Everything looks amazing! Best transformation so far, those nighttime shots were breathtaking.

[@londontoffee]

Love this mini-series. So different to most Cities content on youtube. Great episode!

[@plonk420]

was just about to say "but you need to mention the 'likes' are for engagement" but you said it! love that transparency as many of us are adults 😁

[@marsbron767]

One of the most satisfying parts in this series yet! The transformation is great and the whole area has a great vibe to it.

[@sobertillnoon]

Hey, Phil, quick question. Why do you always use the S tool in network multitool and not the single bend connection tool? Like, the s is good sometimes but so is the single bend, right? Esp since you're generally going for a single bend.

[@MrBmnmtfk]

I think the S tool gives better, smoother connections

[@shaneintheuk2026]

You’re an artist. The finished town just looks like a real functioning city that is built on tiers.

[@jessicawadleigh1246]

Another excellent video, Phil! Thanks for your hard work! You’ve inspired me to spend some time in one of my first cities and to be a little less attached to things (AKA being the sledgehammer). Thank you!

[@DannyGermany]

With the Stadium on the coast gives me a little capetown vibes..loving it!

[@kenzacker1476]

YES! my favorite series, welcome back!

[@IceDree]

May I suggest adding a 2lane European bridge next to the 6lane one, but at a lower level? It could start next to the Monona Terrace instead of the turnout & become parallel to the 6lane bridge, but at a much lower level, then curve the bridge at the end & connect to the intersection behind the high capacity hospital. Love the build, Phil.

[@NovaRift]

Its so cool to watch the city change and improve! One thing though and it might just be a me thing and I have this complaint in real life... the differences in lighting. The fact that the street lights consistently jump back and forth between soft white to daylight is one of my biggest issues (I am going to get a lot of flack for this but Daylight is far superior lighting especially for roads and night time!)

[@Rengray2]

So much of what you've changed is really cool - definitely looking to see how things shake out with the transit changes downtown. What detracts from the design for me is that there are a lot of places for tourists to visit but almost no place for them to stay. This is the same problem that we have over near the airport. I know a big part of it is that the game doesn't automatically generate lodging in commercial areas. I also know you've got some serious space constraints and geography challenges...but it would be cool to see if there's a way to address this for the city (without having to bulldoze everything).

[@jadekohler1109]

Blowing stuff up is extremely satisfying

[@XXigarrett416XX]

pretty sure all that traffic is just looking for a parking space if TMPE realistic parking AI is on, "Hey, Everyone, There's new street parking down by the new harbor" - amazing transformation

[@foundthissometimeago]

Engagement! Love this series. As a Wisconsinite, I love seeing the Monona Terrace in this build.

[@Aikidjam]

Nice rebuild Phil. Also, I dig the editing with the music on the city tour !

[@Kisamaism]

I suggest swapping the "cathedral" with the tall white building right next to it. Such an expensive piece of architecture would have purchased premium land for the build and would absolutely ensure that no towers obscured its view of the water/horizon.

[@thorskjelver8564]

I have a city saved to the steam cloud that I built on a potato laptop 5 years ago, and this series has me willing to take on the daunting task of making that place better.

[@WelcomeToTheGooniverse]

You are correct, good sir. What's the Willis Tower? That's not a thing. It's the Sear's Tower.

[@TheSwalbrick]

Phil you are the Bob Ross of Citites: Skylines!

[@amandasampaio5096]

Great episode as always! Love the convention center on the waterfront, I feel like you could add a couple hotels near it

[@jamierodel5420]

Phil really went insaneo style on the editing to the beat for the city tour 👌

[@EternalGamingNet]

I LOVE the road going down to the lower terrace of downtown, such a beautiful curve. I like the thinned out looks, I really wish the wall to wall had a slightly taller version. Great episode!

[@duphasdan]

Looking at the overview at the end, I contemplate how the rail network would look in regards to that sunken transport plaza. One is having a line come right out of a tunnel at the side of the steep areas and go right into a railroad bridge toward that squared off section of land. Such an area would make for a nice port area with an elevated train station to meet that rail from the other side of the water. The bridge and tunnel would pop out at the spot between the green tech housing and the regular buildings, as there is a bit of land there, and then curve toward that squared off area across the water. It would use one of the three lines at the bottom of the sunken rail plaza. The two on top can loop to each other with a loop going under the area where the stadium is on top. Then they would branch out and go along a round around the city to the south to make a loop. The middle line at the bottom can make a direct line to the airport. The last line can make a path along the thin part of the city along the water at a couple of stops, and make a loop around the other city area near the airport, and the other end either making a loop ( under the other one on top ) or making a second crossing across the water area to a potential new expansion of the city around where the river is located. It could even cross the water part ways along the other bridge before branching off for a cool look.

[@dwainavance]

Looking back your old city, it makes me appreciate more current cities that you, biffa, overcharged egg, infrastructurist, etc. work on

[@joyceslomko4450]

As soon as I saw Monona Terrace on the workshop, I just knew you would work it onto your next video!

[@WoWBeater]

Thank you for putting the terrace in there, I grew up greatly respecting Frank Lloyd Wright. I spent my summers in high school (20+ years ago) doing maintenance out at Taliesin. Still miss Minerva.

[@bluegenie9093]

I love watching these while having breakfast. Perfect way to start my day!

[@zsnyder2417]

Easily the best video in this series so far. I'm usually not a huge fan of Wrecking Ball Phil, but the area really needed to be reimagined. And the result is fantastic! I think there was one small missed opportunity. You were trying to figure out how to handle that small 4-ish unit space where wall-to-wall didn't fit. That space was roughly the size and shape of the parking structure you placed. You should slide it over!

[@Geelouise6754]

Engagement!! Love this series

[@andrewreeves6885]

Isn't the bean pretty much in a walking park right by the water? That's spot that you had it at "temporarily" would make a great place for it I think. Also, dude, that has got to be the sickest city tour you have done. The music and way it was cut was excellent! 🔥 💣🎧

[@KV_415]

Everytime you go back to an old City of yours, it always makes me think about when you first started the channel and there were some... Sound issues xD I miss those days, what happened to Demon-Voice Phil! Haha, as always thanks for your great wholesome content that often gets me through the day and allows me to ignore the onslaught of negativity in the world and continue spreading positivity when I can, thanks my dude! Looking forward to mooooooooooore C I T I E S !

[@mitchellschwartz6766]

It will ALWAYS be the Sears Tower to me - you made my evening!!

[@statelyelms]

One of your most enjoyable episodes yet! Great addition to a great day.. it's been the best in months.

[@wispiwispi1889]

Every time you place a sports stadium, or any facility that will have a lot of people attend, you really should be thinking ahead of placement where the parking is going to be.

[@petezrioka]

Oh man, I understand the utility of it by a convention center but that enormous parking garage on the waterfront hurts.

[@JamesRitter15]

I think this is my new favorite video of yours! The redesign really turned out great!

[@isebasforeberath4271]

Another great video. Loving this series. That said parking, parking, parking! You need some parking next to the giant hospital and by the baseball stadium. There's nowhere to park near them. The hospital reminds me a little of the University of Iowa hospital in Iowa City and they have a lot of parking at their locations. Hope you leave some room for a bank downtown. I absolutely love the buildings on the coastline. They looks really great.

[@AdventurersAlmanac]

Your landscaping is always just so perfect! 🌲🌳🏡

[@ThePragmatist839]

I 100% want there to be a cable car from the top level to the Madison terrace convention center.

[@max.dumpster2680]

the landscaping was fantastic. go as nuts as you want with it

[@AshotGrig]

What a satisfying result at the end there. Amazing transformation, good job!

[@scotthanson4334]

Best city tour yet! So good

[@willsharp87]

Looks so good! Eagerly awaiting the transit episode

[@Legendazdubce]

Love to see this, but why not put the residential on the waterfront? Instead of the offices?

[@thomasparrott8969]

13:12 the cars seem to be piling up due to a lack of parking. When you had the traffic map layer up all of those red buildings were buildings that were demanding additional parking. Maybe more parking would limit the flood of cars.

[@Meeesa]

I've been saying this for a few episodes. Parking is still important...even if everyone is on the "parking is evil" bandwagon. 🙄 I'd still like to see *functional,* and thoughtful parking.

[@ethakis]

38:18 oh man, if you'd placed that parking structure in that block to right with the rounded side of the building facing the rounded rode, that would've been PERFECT

[@ciphex7470]

Looks great man! Just a thought, if you reverse the direction of the turnaround, you won't ever have traffic crossing paths

[@craigbrewer433]

I seen that and thought he's going to have traffic issues there so just reverse the direction of travel

[@dominiquemisty4485]

Phil, have you ever considered connecting the bridge meant to alleviate downtown traffic directly down town? You can add an Island Like Treasure Island that is in the middle of the bay bridge between Oakland and San Francisco, and the road the bridge currently connects too, can take a different route down the hill beside the cargo harbor instead. Then on the side of the bridge opposite downtown, you can build another town center of higher density in a smaller radius.

[@AppalachianPatrick]

The turnaround by the monona terrace would make more sense going in the other direction. As of now they have to cross the road to turn around. They should turn right and head straight back onto the road. Edit: Nevermind. You already fixed it. Edit2: That medium parking garage by the bus/cruise port might look really good where the road meets downtown, seems like the size may fit it? its a little further away but adds a lot of space for shopping right outside of the port. Edit3: that turnaround looks so much better the second time. Nice! Edit4: Just wanted to say I absolutely love the way you have been doing your city tours recently with the split between old and new. Keep it up Phil! Love ya!

[@kameli_1880]

Its so relaxing to watch thease videos, thank you

[@amirabbasdjamali7602]

Phil in the first couple episodes of this series: "we respect topography." Phil now: " we make the topography to respect us".

[@SebisRandomTech]

You got my thumbs up for the *Sears* Tower 😎

[@MysticMalik]

Brought joy to my ears to hear “ the Sears tower”. Only way to call it