All Zones in Cities Skylines II and what they mean

Zones are an essential part of creating a functional town in Cities: Skylines II. They provide jobs, housing, and shopping opportunities that will change how attractive and stable your map is to citizens. Here's everything you need to know about zones in Cities: Skylines II.

What are Industrial Zones in Cities Skylines II?

Manufacturing in Industrial Zones

The only zoning you can do for the Industrial Zone is to place Manufacturing buildings. They will vary in subtype, but this is mostly for aesthetic purposes rather than a practical difference. This doesn't change as you level up, though it could hypothetically change in future updates (no word has been announced on this).

Over time, you will have access to special buildings in order to maximize industrial efficiency. These are found under the Special Buildings panel rather than the zoning tool. They can lower pollution, both ground and air.

All Residential Zones in Cities Skylines 2

Low, medium, and high-density housing in Residential Zones

Low-density housing is the most direct option for residential housing. These are standalone single-family homes that are highly desirable to families. Be wary of rent costs, as too many low-density homes increase rent costs.

If you aren't looking to have a packed town, medium-density housing is the best of both worlds. Coming in a couple of varieties (row housing and apartments), you can pack more people into one space without worrying about the sprawl required for low-density housing while still maintaining a suburban feel. This is a new option that was not originally available in the first game.

High-density housing is about what you'd expect in a major city area, with tall buildings housing multiple families at once. It's perfect for bustling parts of your town, allowing you to increase your population while retaining a tight area of land.

Mixed housing in Residential Zones

If you're hoping to blend two zones at once, then mixed housing is really your only option. It is a series of two-story buildings with commercial shops on the bottom floor and residential housing on the top floor. This is represented with bright aqua instead of the green shades that are typical for Residential zoning. Rent is more affordable for this medium-density property type. It also offers a more interesting type of building to throw into your town and can be used as a buffer between Commercial and Residential Zones.

Low Rent Housing in Residential Zones

Low-rent housing is a medium to high-density resident option. It lowers the cost of rent dramatically, offering options for single people and students. Still, this type of housing is not as aesthetically attractive, and will not bring in families or educated individuals. Putting these next to colleges or universities is a good idea.

Related: Cities Skylines 2 building upgrade system, explained

What are Office Zones in Cities Skylines II?

Low and high-density offices

Office Zones are similar to Commercial Zones but are focused on employment rather than shopping. They provide jobs, especially for educated citizens. Immaterial goods are created here in sectors like communications, entertainment, and technology. Unlike Industrial Zones, they do not contribute to pollution. Density only affects the concentrated amount of jobs in one area.

All Commercial Zones in Cities Skylines 2

Low and high-density business in Commercial Zones

Low-density Commercial Zones typically aren't the most advantageous to use, but they'll be all you have for a while with each new town you create. These small, single businesses make for a more realistic and gradual expansion of your towns. There will always be some level of demand for local and boutique companies that are included in low-density Commercial Zones, so keep a few around even after upgrades.

The more attractive option for businesses is high-density Commercial Zones. You may not always want them for aesthetic reasons, but these zones are highly efficient and lucrative. Not only does it provide condensed shopping that uses fewer resources and requires less upkeep, but it also provides more jobs.

Is mixed housing a Commercial Zone?

Technically, mixed housing is both a Commercial and Residential Zone. However, you can only access it from the Residential Zone panel.

Related: Cities Skylines II mod tools will be more powerful than ever

What do you need for Specialized Industries in Cities Skylines II?

Specialized Industries are a unique type of zone that functions more like a Special Building than a zone. There are nine different Specialized Industries that you can use to improve your resource intake for your town. Normally, you'll be paying out of pocket for these resources, so institute these zones whenever possible to avoid debt.

In the long run, you'll save plenty of money using these industry areas. Keep in mind that most will need to be placed on a certain resource-rich patch of land. Of the Specialized Industries in Cities: Skylines 2, you have:

• Livestock (Can be used anywhere)
• Stone Mining (Can be used anywhere)
• Grain Farming (Needs fertile land)
• Vegetable Farming (Needs fertile land)
• Textile Fiber Farming (Needs fertile land)
• Forestry (Requires forest area)
• Coal Mining (Needs ore)
• Ore Mining (Needs ore)
• Oil Drilling (Requires oil)

Want to read more about Cities Skylines II? If so, check out Cities Skylines 2 commits to mods in developer update on Pro Game Guides.