Managing Abandoned Buildings in Cities: Skylines 2

Developing a bustling metropolis in Cities: Skylines 2 is a challenging endeavor, and players are bound to encounter various obstacles as they strive to transform their quiet village into a thriving paradise. Neglecting the needs of citizens will result in widespread discontentment, prompting them to ultimately leave their homes in search of better opportunities.

One of the most prominent signs of inadequate planning in Cities: Skylines 2 is the presence of abandoned buildings. If not addressed effectively, a solitary abandoned property can cause the value of an entire neighborhood to plummet. Here's what to do when these situations arise and how to effectively avoid their recurrence in the future.

Cities: Skylines 2 - Clearing Abandoned Buildings (& How To Prevent Them From Popping Up)

When residents become dissatisfied with city life, they often relocate to different places entirely. As a result, their properties are automatically designated as abandoned.

The presence of abandoned buildings has a detrimental effect on neighborhoods as it diminishes the overall land value in the immediate vicinity. Consequently, residents living in close proximity to these abandoned structures experience a decline in their overall happiness, and the rental prices for all properties in the area also decrease.

To eliminate abandoned buildings, players can utilize the Bulldoze tool to demolish the affected properties. The old structure will be replaced by a new building, attracting new residents.

Alternatively, re-zoning the land beneath an abandoned building will yield the same outcome. This method is particularly beneficial when the neighborhood faces challenges such as high rent or a lack of commercial zones. Moreover, players can opt to de-zone an area, replacing abandoned buildings with service/utility buildings or significant structures known as Signature Buildings. These remarkable constructions offer diverse advantages, such as enhanced citizen satisfaction or increased desirability in the area.

Although having abandoned buildings is inevitable, the rate at which they appear can be reduced by ensuring that civilians have easy access to basic necessities such as power, water, healthcare, education, and livelihood. It is also important to consider factors like suitability and pollution before designating specific areas for development.

Additionally, a useful tip is to integrate different zones together in order to enhance civilian access to jobs and essential services. Instead of solely focusing on low-density residential zones, consider incorporating commercial zones at the intersections of streets. This provides civilians with employment opportunities and convenient access to their daily needs. By implementing this strategy, quality of life improves and the burden of overcrowding in more developed areas can be alleviated.

Cities: Skylines 2

Platform(s) PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series SReleased October 24, 2023Developer(s) Colossal OrderPublisher(s) Paradox InteractiveGenre(s) City Builder

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am excited about the upcoming release of Cities: Skylines 2. The first game was a huge success, and I can't wait to see what the sequel has to offer. I am particularly interested in the new abandoned building management mechanics. In the first game, abandoned buildings were a major problem, and they could quickly turn a thriving city into a ghost town.

The new mechanics seem to offer a more effective way to deal with abandoned buildings, and I am eager to try them out. Overall, I am very optimistic about Cities: Skylines 2. I think it has the potential to be one of the best city-building games ever made.