Civilization IV: City Improvements

There are two significant changes from city improvements in Civ3. The first difference is that city improvements no longer have upkeep costs in Civ4 — the city maintenance cost now depends on the number of cities your have, distance from your capital, and your civic choices. The second difference is the new health system. Now, some buildings, such as aqueducts and supermarkets, can improve the health of your city, while some other improvements, such as forges and factories, can reduce your city’s health.

The table below lists all city improvements, some of which are related to each of the seven religions in the game, with their own temple, monastery, and cathedral level building.

NOTE: Information in this section is correct as of Beyond the Sword v3.19. For a listing of what the icons mean, please see this page.

City Improvement	Cost	Requires	Effects
Academy	–	Great Scientist	+4 +50%
Airport	250	Flight	+1 Can airlift 1 land unit per turn +3 XP for new air units +4 air unit capacity +1 trade route
Apothecary	150	Guilds Currency	Unique building for Persia; Replaces Grocer +2 +1 from Banana, Spices, Sugar, and Wine +25% Can turn 2 citizens into Merchants
Aqueduct	100	Mathematics Masonry	+2 Required to build the Hanging Gardens Available for free on Renaissance and later starts
Assembly Plant	250	Assembly Line	Unique building for Germany; Replaces Factory +1 +2 from Oil and Coal Can turn 4 citizens into Engineers +25% (+50% with Power) +50% with Coal
Ball Court	80	Construction	Unique building for the Maya; Replaces Colosseum +3 +1 per 20% rate
Bank	200	Banking	+50% Required to build Wall Street Available for free on Modern and later starts
Baray	100	Mathematics Masonry	Unique building for Khmer; Replaces Aqueduct +1 +2 Available for free on Renaissance and later starts
Barracks	50	–	New land units receive +3 experience points +2 with Nationhood Required to build Heroic Epic
Bomb Shelters	100	Electricity	-50% damages from nukes Requires the Manhattan Project
Broadcast Tower	175	Mass Media	+50% +1 per 10% rate Can turn 2 citizens into artists +1 from Hit Musicals, Hit Singles, Hit Movies +1 for Charismatic leaders
Buddhist Monastery	60	Meditation Buddhism	+2 +10% Required to train Buddhist Missionary Obsolete with Scientific Method
Buddhist Stupa (Double Production Speed w/ Copper)	300	Music Buddhism 2 Buddhist Temples	+50% +2 if Buddhism is state religion Can turn two citizens into priest +1 from Incense
Buddhist Temple	80	Priesthood Buddhism	+1 +1 Can turn 1 citizen into Priest
Bunker	100	Electricity	-50% damage from air units
Castle (Double Production Speed w/ Stone)	100	Engineering Walls	+1 +25% +1 trade route +50% defense (except vs. Gunpowder units) -25% damage from bombard (except vs. Gunpowder units) Obsolete with Economics
Christian Cathedral (Double Production Speed w/ Stone)	300	Music Christianity 2 Christian Temples	+50% +2 if Christianity is state religion Can turn two citizens into priest +1 from Incense
Christian Monastery	60	Meditation Christianity	+2 +10% Required to train Christian Missionary Obsolete with Scientific Method
Christian Temple	80	Priesthood Christianity	+1 +1 Can turn 1 citizen into Priest
Citadel (Double Production Speed w/ Stone)	100	Engineering Walls	Unique building for Spain; Replaces Castle +1 +25% +1 trade route +50% defense (except vs. Gunpowder units) -25% damage from bombard (except vs. Gunpowder units) +5 XP for Siege Units Obsolete with Economics
Coal Plant	150	Assembly Line Factory	Provides power with Coal (+2 )
Colosseum	80	Construction	+1 +1 per 20% rate
Confucian Academy (Double Production Speed w/ Copper)	300	Music Confucianism 2 Confucian Temples	+50% +2 if Confucianism is state religion Can turn two citizens into priest +1 from Incense
Confucian Monastery	60	Meditation Confucianism	+2 +10% Required to train Confucian Missionary Obsolete with Scientific Method
Confucian Temple	80	Priesthood Confucianism	+1 +1 Can turn 1 citizen into Priest
Cothon	100	Compass	Unique building for Carthage; Replaces Harbor Can only be built in a coastal city +1 trade route +1 from Fish, Crab, Clams +50% commerce from trade routes
Courthouse	120	Code of Laws	+2 -50% maintenance Can turn 1 citizen into Spy Required to build Forbidden Palace
Customs House	180	Economics Harbor	Can only be built in a coastal city +100% commerce from intercontinental foreign trade routes
Dike	180	Steam Power	Unique building for the Dutch; Replaces Levee +1 on the city’s river and water tiles Can only be built in a coastal or riverside city
Drydock	120	Steel	+1 New water units receive +4 experience points Builds water units +50% faster Can only be built in a coastal city
Dun (Double Production Speed w/ Stone)	50	Masonry	Unique building for Celts; Replaces Walls +50% defense (except vs. gunpowder-based units) -50% damage from bombard (except from Gunpowder units) Free Guerilla I promotion for land units Required to build Castle
Factory	250	Assembly Line	+1 +2 from Oil and Coal +25% (+50% with Power) Can turn 2 citizens into Engineer Required to build coal plant, hydro plant, nuclear plant
Feitoria	180	Economics Harbor	Unique building for Portugal; Replaces Customs House Can only be built in a coastal city +100% commerce from intercontinental foreign trade routes +1 commerce on water tiles
Forge	120	Metal Casting	+1 +25% Can turn 1 citizen into Engineer +1 from Gems, Gold, Silver Required to build Ironworks, The Colossus, The Eiffel Tower, The Statue of Liberty Available for free on Modern and later starts
Forum	150	Currency	Unique building for Rome; Replaces Market +25% Can turn 2 citizens into merchant +1 from fur, ivory, silk, whale +25% Great Person birth rate
Garden	80	Construction	Unique building for Babylon; Replaces Colosseum +1 +2 +1 per 20% rate
Ger	60	Horseback Riding	Unique building for Mongolia; Replaces Stable +4 XP for new Mounted Units Obsolete with Advanced Flight
Granary	60	Pottery	Stores 50% of after growth +1 from Corn, Rice, Wheat Available for free on Renaissance and later starts
Grocer	150	Guilds Currency	+25% Can turn 2 citizens into Merchant +1 from Banana, Spices, Sugar, Wine Required to build Supermarket Available for free on Industrial and later starts
Hammam	100	Masonry Mathematics	Unique unit for Ottomans; Replaces Aqueduct +2 +2
Harbor	80	Compass	+50% trade route yield +1 from clam, crab, fish Can only be built in coastal cities Available for free on Modern and later starts
Hindu Mandir (Double Production Speed w/ Marble)	300	Music Hinduism 2 Hindu Temples	+50% +2 if Hinduism is state religion Can turn two citizens into priest +1 from Incense
Hindu Monastery	60	Meditation Hinduism	+2 +10% Required to train Hindu Missionary Obsolete with Scientific Method
Hindu Temple	80	Priesthood Hinduism	+1 +1 Can turn 1 citizen into Priest
Hippodrome	50	Drama	Unique building for Byzantium; Replaces Theater +3 +1 per 5% rate +1 +1 from Horses Required to build Globe Theatre
Hospital	200	Medicine	+3 Heal units extra 10% damage/turn Required to build Red Cross
Hydro Plant	200	Plastic Factory	Provides power Can only be built in a riverside city
Ikhanda	60	–	Unique building for the Zulus; Replaces Barracks -20% maintenance +2 with Nationhood +3 EXP for new land units Required to build Heroic Epic
Industrial Park	200	Industrialism Factory	+2 Can turn 2 citizens into engineers +1 free engineer +1 from coal, oil
Intelligence Agency	180	Communism	+8 +50% Can turn 2 citizens into spy
Hydro Plant	200	Plastic Factory	Provides power Can only be built in a riverside city
Islamic Monastery	60	Meditation Islam	+2 +10% Required to train Islamic Missionary Obsolete with Scientific Method
Islamic Mosque (Double Production Speed w/ Marble)	300	Music Islam 3 Islamic Temples	+50% +2 if Islam is state religion Can turn two citizens into priest +1 from Incense
Islamic Temple	80	Priesthood Islam	+1 +1 Can turn 1 citizen into Priest
Jail	120	Constitution	+4 +50% -25% War Can turn 2 citizens into spy Available for free on Modern and later starts
Jewish Monastery	60	Meditation Judaism	+2 +10% Required to train Jewish Missionary Obsolete with Scientific Method
Jewish Synagogue (Double Production Speed w/ Stone)	300	Music Judaism 3 Jewish Temples	+50% +2 if Judaism is state religion Can turn two citizens into priest +1 from Incense
Jewish Temple	80	Priesthood Judaism	+1 +1 Can turn 1 citizen into Priest
Laboratory	250	Computers Observatory	+1 +25% +50% spaceship production Can turn 1 citizen into scientist
Levee	180	Steam Power	+1 on river tiles
Library	90	Writing	+2 +25% Can turn 2 citizens into scientist Required to build University, National Epic, The Great Library
Lighthouse	60	Sailing	+1 on water tiles Required to build The Great Lighthouse Available for free on Industrial and later starts
Madrassa	90	Writing	Unique building for the Arabian; Replaces Library +25% Can turn 2 citizens into priests Can turn 2 citizens into scientists Required to build University, National Epic, Great Library Available for free on Modern and later starts
Mall	150	Refrigeration Grocer	Unique building for the Americans; Replaces Supermarket +1 +20% +1 from cow, deer, pig, sheep +1 from Hit Musicals, Hit Singles, Hit Movies
Market	150	Currency	+25% Can turn 2 citizens into merchant +1 from fur, ivory, silk, whale Available for free on Industrial and later starts
Mausoleum	120	Constitution	Unique building for the Indians; Replaces Jail +4 +50% +2 -25% War Can turn 2 citizens into spy Available for free on Modern and later starts
Military Academy	–	Military Science	+3 +50% military unit production Can be built by Great General
Mint	120	Metal Casting	Unique building for the Malinese; Replaces Forge +1 +25% +10% Can turn 1 citizen into Engineer +1 from Gems, Gold, Silver Required to build Ironworks, The Colossus, The Eiffel Tower, The Statue of Liberty Available for free on Modern and later starts
Monument	30	Mysticism	+1 +1 for Charismatic leaders Obsolete with Astronomy
Nuclear Plant	250	Fission Factory	Small chance of nuclear meltdown Provides power with Uranium
Obelisk	30	Mysticism	Unique building for the Egyptians; Replaces Monument +1 +1 for Charismatic leaders Can turn 2 citizens into Priest Obsolete with Calendar
Observatory	150	Astronomy	+25% Can turn 1 citizen into scientist Required to build Laboratory
Odeon	80	Construction	Unique building for the Greek; Replaces Colosseum +3 +2 +1 per 20% rate Can turn 2 citizens into artist +1 from Hit Singles
Pavilion	50	Drama	Unique building for the Chinese; Replaces Theatre +3 +25% +1 per 10% rate Can turn 2 citizens into artists +1 from dye Required to build Globe Theatre
Public Transportation	150	Combustion	+1 +1 from oil +2 with Environmentalism
Rathaus	120	Code of Laws	Unique building for Holy Roman Empire; Replaces Courthouse +2 -75% maintenance Can turn 1 citizen into Spy Required to build Forbidden Palace Available for free on modern and later starts
Recycling Center	300	Ecology	No from buildings
Research Institute	250	Superconductors	Unique building for the Russians; Replaces Laboratory +1 +25% +50% spaceship production Can turn 1 citizen into scientist +2 free scientists
Sacrificial Altar	90	Code of Laws	Unique building for the Aztecs; Replaces Courthouse +2 -50% maintenance -50% anger duration from sacrificing population Can turn 1 citizen into Spy Required to build Forbidden Palace
Salon	150	Astronomy	Unique building for the French; Replaces Observatory +25% +1 free artist Can turn 1 citizen into scientist Required to build Laboratory
Scotland Yard	–	–	+100% Can be built by Great Spy
Security Bureau	220	Democracy	+8 +50% defense against espionage Helps thwart rival spies Can turn 2 citizens into spy
Seowon	200	Education Library	Unique building for the Koreans; Replaces University +3 +35% Required to build Oxford University
Shale Plant	150	Assembly Line Factory	Unique building for the Japanese; Replaces Coal Plant +10% Provides power (+2 )
Stable	60	Horseback Riding	New mounted units receive +2 experience points
Stele	30	Mysticism	Unique building for the Ethiopian; Replaces Monument +1 +25% +1 for Charismatic leaders Obsolete with Astronomy
Stock Exchange	200	Banking	Unique building for the English; Replaces Bank +65% Required to build Wall Street
Supermarket	150	Refrigeration Grocer	+1 +1 from cow, deer, pig, sheep
Taoist Monastery	60	Meditation Taoism	+2 +10% Required to train Taoist Missionary Obsolete with Scientific Method
Taoist Pagoda (Double Production Speed w/ Copper)	300	Music Taoism 3 Taoist Temples	+50% +2 if Taoism is state religion Can turn two citizens into priest +1 from Incense
Taoist Temple	80	Priesthood Taoism	+1 +1 Can turn 1 citizen into Priest
Terrace	60	Pottery	Unique building for the Incans; Replaces Granary +2 Stores 50% of after growth +1 from Corn, Rice, Wheat Available for free on Renaissance and later starts
Theatre	50	Drama	+3 +1 per 10% rate Can turn 2 citizens into artists +1 from dye Required to build Globe Theatre
Totem Pole	30	Mysticism	Unique building for the Native Americans; Replaces Monument +1 New archery units receive +3 EXP +1 for Charismatic leaders Obsolete with Astronomy
Trading Post	60	Sailing	Unique building for the Vikings; Replaces Lighthouse Free Navigation I promotion for naval units built in this city +1 on water tiles Required to build The Great Lighthouse Available for free on Industrial and later starts
University	200	Education Library	+3 +25% Required to build Oxford University
Walls (Double Production Speed w/ Stone)	50	Masonry	50% defense (except vs. gunpowder-based units) Required to build Castle
Ziggurat	90	Priesthood	Unique building for the Sumerians; Replaces Courthouse +2 -50% maintenance Can turn 1 citizen into Spy Required to build Forbidden Palace

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