How To Get More Raw Materials In City Skylines

So, you're building your dream city in City Skylines, huh? Everything's going smoothly, the citizens are happy (mostly), and then... BAM! Your industry starts complaining. "We need more raw materials!" they cry.

Don't panic! It's like running out of coffee on a Monday morning. Annoying, but solvable.

The Not-So-Secret Source: Zoning It Up!

First things first, let's talk dirt, trees, and rocks. Or, as the game calls them: farming, forestry, ore, and oil. You gotta tell your city where to find these goodies.

That's where zoning comes in. Think of it as staking your claim! You are telling the world: "This patch of land? Belongs to the farmers now!"

Farming is Fun!

Find a nice, flat, green area. Bonus points if it looks like it *should* be a farm. Then, slap down some Agricultural zoning. Watch those fields sprout up!

Farmers need to sell their goods, so make sure you have a way for them to get it done. And don't forget roads.

Timber! Zoning for Forestry

Okay, time for lumberjacks! Find a nice foresty area (duh!) and zone it for forestry. Watch the trees fall and build your business.

Pro-tip: you can even specialize your forestry industry. You can choose what type of wood you want to make.

Ore and Oil: Digging Deep

Now for the serious stuff. Ore and oil are where the real money (and pollution) are. Look for areas with dark patches on the resource map, which is usually underground.

Zone those areas for Ore and Oil. Watch those mines spring up. Be careful about ground pollution, nobody wants sick people!

Importing the Goodies: The Global Trade Game

Sometimes, Mother Nature just doesn't give you enough. No oil in your area? No problem! Just import it from someone else.

Build a cargo train terminal or a harbor. These structures connect you to the outside world and allow raw materials to flow in.

It's like having a global delivery service, only instead of pizza, it's iron ore. Yum!

Don't Be Greedy: Supply and Demand

Here's a little secret: your industries can be picky eaters. Too much of one thing, and they get indigestion. Too little, and they starve.

Pay attention to the resource bars in your industry windows. Are they maxed out on one material but zero on another? This is your city telling you it needs you!

Adjust your zones, imports, and exports. Fine-tuning your resource management is key to a happy and productive city.

Bonus Tip: Be Realistic!

Here's a heartwarming (and slightly embarrassing) tale: I once zoned my entire city for ore, thinking I'd become a mining tycoon. The result? My citizens choked to death on pollution, and I went bankrupt.

The lesson: Balance is key. Don't over-zone, don't over-import, and don't forget the needs of your citizens.

So there you have it! With a little planning, a little zoning, and a little luck, you'll never have to worry about your industries running out of raw materials again. Now go forth and build your empire!