I’ve continued daily updates on my City23 project, adding small details to The Goblin City every day so far this year. Here some of the updates after my last post.
The Old Port Waterfront
East of the Midway is a well-preserved waterfront area from the city’s peak of seafaring industries. Wooden wharves, boat sheds, shipbuilding structures, restaurants, museums and art displays cover the length of this waterfront.
Too small for most contemporary commercial vessels, the waterfront is still frequented by replica ships. An annual race and festival are held at the waterfront.
Waterfolk frequent this quieter part of the city and some conduct tours of the waters around the city. Conflict over waste dumping was resolved decades ago but reparations continue, including volunteer patrols to protect endangered areas and funding of efforts to minimize erosion and other impacts of worsening weather.
Arlas’ Coconut Ice Cream Stand
Located a short distance southwest of The Commons Station, Arlas’ Coconut Ice Cream Stand is a hidden local favourite. Each day Arlas makes and serves his own recipes for coconut ice creams to lines of customers waiting for their favourite treat. The proximity to the station makes it a common spot for a wide range of people to visit once word of mouth reaches them about the flavours.
Arlas
Arlas is an unassuming goblin when he walks down streets, looking like the many others who make their way to work each morning. As he starts mixing together flavours and ingredients beneath the glass in his stand, though, his dexterity and love for his work shines. Arlas constantly sings while pouring, stirring and serving his ice cream, making the wait in line an experience alongside the eventual cold treat.
Table of Flavours at Arlas’ Coconut Ice Cream Stand
- Purple Wyrm (ube)
- Green Dragon (matcha)
- Lion’s Roar (mango and orange)
- White Dragon (vanilla)
- Chimera (chili, dark chocolate, strawberry)
- Black Dragon (licorice)
- Bear’s Roar (chocolate and coffee)
- Red Dragon (cherry, raspberry)
- Scorpion (lemon, lime, rock candy)
- Blue Dragon (blueberry and microalga)
- Pheonix (orange, tea, caramel)
- Gold Dragon (maple syrup)
The Workshops
North of The Commons Station is a district of the city where workshops of craftspeople and small factories have been built. Larger industries are kept further from residential areas, but the workplaces here abide by strictly enforced noise, light and effluent restrictions. Closeness to the station means that most workers commute to the area, but some homes are attached to or adjacent to the workshops.
There are many architectural styles employed in this area, with care taken to reduce environmental impact and optimize energy use.
Deliveries are common during mornings and in evenings there are pickups of goods to be distributed. Midday visits by food stalls make The Workshops a special draw for anyone who appreciates street foods.
The Growing Streets
North of The Old Port Waterfront is a section of the city dedicated to vertical greenhouses, community gardens, hydroponic growing systems and other urban growing operations. Running along a rocky section of coast, this land receives ample morning sun and is supplied with water by the river Slow Snake.
Many of the foods grown here are dispersed throughout the city but surpluses are common. A train line passes through this section and leads to agricultural productions outside the city, allowing for access to supply chains for export and incoming supplies. Hubs exist here that facilitate workers traveling from and to the city depending on seasonal work.
The Goblin City University
North of The Growing Streets is the city’s university. The campus is compact, with clusters of brick buildings designated to each of the 12 faculties. A small residence houses mostly international students while other students live off campus. A modest sports field and stadium are at the edge of the campus.
The Mall
North of The Workshops is a huge complex that houses shops, entertainment venues, recreation facilities, dining locations, and public services in a multi-story building. Connected residences flank The Mall’s main building and schools and public services are also built close.
The Mall is a popular social destination and is full of activity day and night. A central courtyard provides a garden with ample seating. Outside a Ferris wheel allows views of the surrounding city. A train station built into the northern reach of The Mall allows for easy access from the rest of the city.
City Hall
North of The Mall is the centre of the civic government, the large town hall building built with a Brutalist aesthetic. Offices for representatives can be found around the outer ring of the building but a large central forum is the place where public participation in government takes place. The forum includes seating for 1,000 representatives and for 10,000 citizens to take part in important and mundane decision-making.
Governance of the city is done primarily with revocable representative government; citizens can at any time move their confidence from one representative to another and for specific areas of expertise, vote strength can shift significantly. Citizens have the ability to shift their confidence through phones, at public access locations, or with consoles within the forum.
The Entertainment Hub
North of City Hall is a section of the city with concentrated entertainment venues. Theatres, auditoriums, concert venues, stadiums and galleries can all be found in this section of the city. Some residential buildings are located here but relaxed sound, light and magic restrictions make it appeal to a narrow population.
The Gardens
North of The Entertainment Hub is a large collection of display gardens. Rare flora, elaborate fountains, a renowned carousel, floral displays, topiaries, night magic displays and a café known for great coffee are draws for the gardens. Greenhouses, a small university office and an exchange program with the Central Library are located at the edge of the gardens.
The Hospital
North of The University is the city’s hospital. The large complex has six entrances and guides are available to direct patients and visitors where they need to go. Magical and mundane methods are employed at the hospital in concert. Emergency transportation to the hospital includes magically-enhanced transportation and ground-based and airborne ambulances.
A train stop at one entrance provides access for non-emergency visits and for employees arriving for work.
The Ambulatory Neighbourhood
North of The Old Town Neighbourhood is a section of the city made for homes that can move around under their own power. Huts with legs, animated tree homes, mecha, and countless magically movable homes shuffle around the lots of this neighborhood, making it a difficult to navigate place. Homes are given set numbers but the constantly rearranged streets are a surprise for mail carriers and visitors alike.
The City Bikes
Across The Goblin City bicycles are readily available to borrow from bike racks. The city bikes are built in a factory to the north of the city and their signature purple frames and yellow saddles make them unmistakable. The bikes are standard with front and rear baskets, bottle cages, dynamo powered lights, and bells.
The bikes come in sizes suited to the diverse population of the city and are easily adjusted. Kiosks across the city provide helmets and other personal safety materials. Bike trailers for children are also commonly provided at the racks, especially ones at train stops.
Photo by Adrian Flores on Unsplash
