Thanks for the pointers.
As it happens, I feel quite the contrary.
The oldest section would be upper district. As I understood:
A2.4 Interior
Lower quarter: The lower quarter is the place where most of the city's business is conducted. In contrast to the upper quarter, the architecture of the lower quarter is only partly Klyros. Many of the old Klyros buildings have been torn down over time and replaced by Ylian architecture. The few Klyros buildings that are left are about twice the height of the other buildings and are mostly built of wood. Every Klyros building has several stories; a small terrace on each serves as an alternative entrance for those that arrive through the air. One or two rectangular towers, which are used as an exit, are situated on each of the Klyros buildings. These towers enable Klyros to reach any location within the lower quarter with ease. The lower quarter is divided into different sectors by three major roads, the main road, the road to the upper quarter, and a road from the south gate to the landing platforms. Along these roads, several crafters have set up their shops. The lower quarter offers a wide selection of crafters, including stonemasons, woodcutters, bowyers, carpenters, and engineers. In the lower quarter, in the southwest corner, next to the main road, there is a small hospital run by followers of Talad.
Upper quarter: The upper quarter is where the city's government and the social elite of Amdeneir reside. All of the buildings in the upper quarter are typically Klyros, as only few foreigners had the chance to purchase a building. [more klyros buildings therefore older part of city?] It has no connection to the landing platforms, only a single gate to the lower quarter. In the middle of the quarter, at the end of the road connecting the upper quarter to the lower quarter, there is a larger plaza. In the middle of the plaza, there is a park filled with plants and trees from both the Dome and the Barn. At the north end of the plaza, there is the vigesimi's tower. At the sides of the plaza, clockwise from the vigesimi's tower, there is the university. Small roads lead away from the plaza. There is a market in the plaza, around the park, where booths sell various items.
Landing platforms: The landing platforms are the trading center of Amdeneir. Most of the goods imported into Amdeneir arrive through the air. The landing platforms are the least secure area of Amdeneir as well. The huge storehouses of several trading companies attract thieves. The landing platforms themselves are located in the upper left corner of the quarter, next to the road that connects the two exits towards the quarries. On the south end of the quarter are many small shacks owned by day labourers and those that can not afford other housing. These shacks have been the cause of trouble between the local social elite and the government, as they fear for their safety, especially due to the easy outbreak of disease in the dense housing area. Like in the upper quarter, a market is held on the small plaza of the landing platforms quarter. Stables for flying creatures can be found right besides the landing platforms. A large market hall is situated next to the quarter's plaza. Inside, several merchants set up their business and sell their goods on a daily basis.
The three major roads, especially the main road and the landing platforms road, are filled with caravans transporting goods. Even the airspace of the roads is filled by Klyros gliding to their destination. Next to the gates connecting the quarters, are two holes on each side allowing air traffic.
It seems that the upper district contains the older, klyros houses. The sense of arrogant nobility that is held by some upper district dwellers may have developed because:
a) upper district is older
b) upper district dwellers have lived there longer, securing better jobs and having more time to move up in society
c) heightened crime in landing platforms due to occasionally hard life
Also, the oldest quarry is wetsoil, which is (on my map) connected to upper. Originally, stone from quarries would have been used to build the city itself before trade became the major focus. Then, as more jobs opened up for mining and trade, individuals with less money would move in seeking better job and better life. Upon moving in, they wouldn't have enough money to buy a proper house and would resort to a smaller abode amid the trading facilities (smaller commute too
) Upper would be more specialized because it has had more time to specialize. Some buildings that have specific purposes now may not have been built for their present purpose. For example, the university foundation could have been built as a warehouse, only to burn down later. Since the city had changed, the old warehouse remains were turned into a university because one was needed and this spot was ideally located. The crafting shops would have already been located outside the walls because the nobles and government officials wanted to make sure their land was protected first, and they had the money so they got their way. Later, as crafters advanced in proficiency and status, they decided to wall off their portion of the city. However, they still did not provide funding for a wall around the landing platforms. Later, this issue was tackled by the government, seeking economic reform for it's citizens.
I may be wrong, but is it not true that the "down town" area is generally the oldest part of the city?
@rast- the mines can certainly change, as I designated them on a whim.
However, I don't think Rockcliff or Blackhole should be too near the city. Otherwise, they would have been discovered earlier. However, Wetsoil might be a logical candidate to be nearer to the city (just not too close
). One reason against it being too close is that it could poison the water supply under the city with ores and other mine related chemicals. Also, a big hole in the ground next to the city could prove a disadvantage in a battle (hiding place), as well as render the wall unsound.
A possible cultural element of the city shape-
If you turn it so that the main road is vertical, with the Blackhole entrance on top, it looks somewhat like a fish.
