Is there a book or URL that tells you how to make a fictional modern city?

[elforcelf]

I need help in making both a west coast and a east coast cities (USA).

 

[kenobi65]

East Coast City:
a) Establish a small trading post.
b) Let roads be dictated by where horses or cattle want to walk
c) Wait 300 years

West Coast City:
a) Find geographically desireable location (e.g., ocean view)
b) Add real estate developers

 

[TheYeti1775]

I need help in making both a west coast and a east coast cities (USA).

Google Earth is your friend.

How modern are we talking? size? (land and population)
are they coastal, or more inland?

What is the major industry, and weather patterns?

Need a little more info on what you are creating.

Personally I always used the handy dandy Atlas Road Maps for doing city stuff. The ADC books are great for marking in and referencing things. Also they are easily photocopied too, for player handouts. And for DM only maps.

 

[elforcelf]

Oh! both on the coast,now,pop:millions. :\

 

[elforcelf]

The west coast on between San Fran and LA. The east one in the north east.

 

[Umbran]

Oh! both on the coast,now,pop:millions.

Well, then why not use the cities that are already there? There's tons of information on them readily available, no need to make anything up at all.

 

[strahd99]

As for a URL I can't help. Although, the D20 Modern Urban Arcana setting book has a appendix that is a system for city design. I am using that and coupled with official web pages about real world cities to flesh out a D20 Modern Version of the GTA: San Andreas area for a gang based game.

 

[Cthulhudrew]

What exactly do you mean by "make"? Do you just need maps, or are you looking to come up with entire districts based on historical events, demographics, etc.? Also, like TheYeti1775 asked, how modern do you mean? Present-day, turn of the century, frontier? Fantasy city, sci-fi, steampunk?

I think you might get some more help with a bit of clarification on what you're looking for.

Along those lines, you might try starting a "Let's Build a City" thread. There have been similar threads where the community jumped in and built worlds and things, so that's an idea.

 

[elforcelf]

I need help stuff to make it more real. I know it is a game,but,you know. Like I guess how many gas places,fast food,police,fire,hospitals,post offices,etc,per pop. I to add my own history to the places. I can do the maps. I do not know how to put it. :\

 

[Eosin the Red]

I need help stuff to make it more real. I know it is a game,but,you know. Like I guess how many gas places,fast food,police,fire,hospitals,post offices,etc,per pop. I to add my own history to the places. I can do the maps. I do not know how to put it. :\

Try Hudson City from Hero Games. It is a well designed modern "urban abyss" (you can easily add occult and supernatural elements to it). It is one of my favorite RPG supplements and isn't chock full of Hero stats.

If you are looking for actual design help, I haven't seen much but Steve Long recommends a book.... I'll look and add the title of it here when I get the chance.