Playing Cities Skylines has taught me a lot about urban planning and software development. Here are some parallels I've drawn between the two disciplines:
Perpetual Evolution: Projects are rarely ever truly "finished"; instead, they are in a state of constant evolution. Ongoing maintenance and updates are essential, and there is always the potential for new features and expansions on the horizon.
Iterative Development: Progress unfolds through iterative cycles of planning, implementation, and refinement. Continuous feedback loops drive improvements, while agile methodologies in software development parallel adaptive strategies in urban planning.
Scalability and Resource Management: Robust systems are engineered with scalability in mind, anticipating and accommodating future growth. Efficient resource allocation is paramount, whether managing memory and CPU in software development or budgets and space in urban planning.
User-Centric Design: By anticipating and thoughtfully accommodating diverse user needs, designers create solutions that are not only technically proficient but also deeply empathetic. The art of design lies in striking a delicate balance between robust functionality and elegant aesthetics, ensuring that every interaction feels both purposeful and delightful.