Towns are a significant innovation in Civilization 7, replacing traditional cities in the early stages of the game. Unlike previous parts of the series, where settlers immediately founded full-fledged cities, they now first create towns, which serve as an intermediate stage in settlement development. 

Towns are founded by Settlers, not the starting unit Founder, and do not have a production queue. They expand and develop exclusively through Gold, used to purchase Districts. Eventually, towns can be upgraded to the level of a City-State, unlocking the production queue and allowing the construction of wonders and unique buildings.

City Management and Strategic Location

Your civilization has a Settlement Limit, which sets a soft cap on the number of cities that can be founded without penalties. Exceeding this limit results in a -5 Happiness penalty for each additional city, accumulating with each new settlement.

Unlike previous games in the series, where luxury resources played a critical role in ensuring comfort, Civilization 7 changes the resource management system. There is no longer a need to found settlements near luxury resources to increase happiness.

Instead, the best locations for cities are based on economic resources such as Camels, Gold, Silver, and Cotton. Additionally, cities founded near sources of Fresh Water receive a happiness bonus, making these locations extremely advantageous.

To determine optimal locations for founding settlements, players can use the Settler Lens, which is activated via a small telescope icon above the minimap. Light blue tiles indicate access to fresh water, providing additional happiness on the settlement's City Hall tile. While this system provides a good guideline, experienced players will eventually develop their own city placement strategies.

Town Improvement and Specialization

After founding towns, players must make an important decision—whether to upgrade it to a City-State or give it a specialization (focus). Districts can be purchased with Gold, contributing to gradual development. Each improvement reduces the cost of transforming a settlement into a City-State, but each subsequent town will require significantly more Gold.

However, upgrading a town to a City-State is not always the best choice. Depending on the civilization's needs, different town specializations can be chosen, each offering unique advantages. Specializations become available when the town's population reaches 7.

All town Specialization Options in Civilization 7

Each new town initially has the status of a Growing Town, but over time, players gain access to other options. Only one specialization can be chosen per era, and it can only be switched between a Growing Town and the chosen specialization until the next age.

1. Growing Town

This is the standard specialization that ensures rapid settlement growth with a +50% growth bonus. All excess food supplies are transferred to neighboring cities. Production in such a settlement is converted into Gold, making it useful in the early stages of the game.

2. Fort Town

A defensive specialization that increases the settlement's resilience. Adds +5 to healing troops within the town and +25 health to walls. This is an excellent option for border settlements that may become targets of enemy attacks. As in a Growing Town, all production is converted into Gold, and food is transferred to neighboring cities.

3. Urban Center

Designed for cities with a large number of Quarters, which are formed by placing two buildings on one tile (e.g., Altar and Granary). Adds +1 Culture and +1 Science for each quarter. This is a good option for developed settlements that are not yet ready to become City-States.

4. Farming Town

Food is the foundation of the economy in Civilization 7, making this type of specialization one of the most needed. Provides +2 Food on farms, pastures, plantations, and fishing boats. If such a town is located on the coast, it turns into a Fishing Town, retaining all bonuses.

5. Mining Town

Similar to farming towns, Mining Towns specialize in production, which is converted into Gold. Adds +2 Production on Camps, Lumber Mills, Clay Pits, Mines, and Quarries. A great choice for towns with rich natural resources.

6. Trade Outpost — Ancient Era

Appears in the Ancient Era, enhancing trade. Adds +5 to the radius of Trade Routes and +2 Happiness for each resource within the settlement. Ideal for expanding trade and reducing the crisis at the end of the era.

7. Religious Site — Era of Exploration

Appears in the Era of Exploration, providing +2 Happiness and +1 Relic Slot in the settlement's Temple. Essential for cultural victories that require collecting 12 relics.

8. Hub Town — Era of Exploration

Specialization for diplomacy and influence. Adds +2 Influence for each connected settlement, both own and foreign. Roads automatically connect allied settlements, and later railway routes appear.

Town Focuses in the Ancient Era

At the beginning of the game, players have access to basic specializations that lay the foundation for economic, defensive, or trade development.

Town Focuses in the Era of Exploration

With the introduction of the Era of Exploration, additional specializations become available, allowing for deeper customization of town economies.

Town Focuses in the Modern Era

In the Modern Era, even more powerful specializations emerge, helping optimize towns for maximum efficiency.

Is It Worth Changing the Town Focus?

All towns initially have the "Growing Town" focus, which increases its growth rate by 50%. This promotes faster border expansion and access to new resources. However, changing the focus can provide other advantages, such as improved defense, increased trade, or additional production and food for connected cities.

Switching the town focus has its consequences. If a town receives a specialization, it will send all its food to connected cities, significantly slowing its own growth. This can be useful if the nearest town needs additional food supplies or if the player prioritizes other strategic advantages over rapid town growth. However, it's important to remember that the chosen focus cannot be changed until the next era.

To make the right decision, it's necessary to assess the empire's needs. If a town has plenty of food resources but weak defense, it is advisable to convert it into a Fort Town. If it is located near rich mineral deposits, specializing in a Mining Town will help significantly increase the empire's production capabilities.