I would like to share the general idea I use to build my cities in Pharaoh. After some learning and gameplay, I simplified everything I used to do before. Now I use two separated blocks to organize the city. One solely for population and other for production of goods.
My block for population aims to hold the maximum population in the minimum space with one structure of each kind. With it I can hold up to 36 Fancy Residences.
The production zones are set as straight roads, with a modest urban center at its end. It has only enough structures to avoid problems, a Well, one Physician and a Bazzar set to get only one food. According to the map, I may put an Apothecary.
I always set at least one Store Yard to accept food. This way, even if the Granaries are Full, the lumpers from the farms walk out the Nile with food and it is not lost in the next flooding.
As I aim for high population, many times I have to deal with high unemployment, even with overproduction of goods. This is the main reason I build many Work Camps. They provide jobs for the exceeding population.
As you may have seen, I put Shrines there. I always put the Shrines in the Industrial Zone to save space in other map areas, as well for aesthetic purposes (that seems logical for me that people at work have some place for their religion, specially in this Ancient Egypt context).
The little urban centers can be loops, as shown in the block for Entertainment workers. As long as the loop allows the houses there to be keep without problems, it's ok. I suggest loops no bigger than 50 tiles.
Here goes the general idea.
[edit] I am experimenting with this block and trying to develop it further, less houses and more stability.
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I'm new here. I wonder what this city will offer to a person like me![This message has been edited by GalateiaFK (edited 01-08-2015 @ 08:35 PM).]