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Contributor/author(s): Kian Maleki

Early on, it's always a big problem to get land values high. It seems like whatever you do, you can't get above medium land value, right? Well, that's natural. Just keep developing your city until about 1980, when suddenly you'll notice mansions on huge lots with nice picket fences around them. In higher density zones you'll discover huge condo buildings and more. And in the commercial sectors, you'll find buildings towering over your city like nothing else!

How do you get these changes to come around? Well, just waiting until 1980 isn't gonna do the trick if you're impatient. So what can you do until then?

For residential zones, if you are zoning high density, always zone in 4x4 blocks. Surround the 4x4 blocks with small parks, making sure one side is open to the road. Make a little lake of water outside of the parks. Any open, unused space you have around the zoning, fill up to the brim with trees. With this system, you have to be careful not to put too many 4x4 blocks too close to each other or else there won't be anywhere to put the trees. Also, make sure there is fire and police protection, as well as enough schools and hospitals. Land value will rise to Astronomical, and you will get a huge condo or apartment building.

For medium or low density, just zone as large a span of land as you can with the amount of roads you want to use. Randomly place drops of water, and random rows of parks. The land value around the parks and water will rise very high.

Raising land value for commercial buildings is also very simple. I don't waste any time with low or medium density, I go straight for high density. Build a 3x3 block of high density, surround it with fountains, and have one side facing the road. Watch a tower build.

This system does cost a fair amount of money, but it's generally a one-time thing. Each huge residential or commercial building puts a large chunk of cash in your coffers, making things move faster and faster.

See also
Details on zone density and development
Increasing land value: more than just trees
Raising land values with farms
The invisible factor in land value determination
Land value: one possible truth
Museums and land value
Increasing land value: strategies
Six things that boost land values
Land value calculation bug
Using the query tool to improve your city
The map center effect
How to get the biggest buildings
How to get towers early on

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