Much of the inner city canals, however, were made defunct after the Combine's draining of large bodies of water around City 17 left much of the area's canal system dry. Transportation systems Ī city canal containing hazardous materials.Ī network of canals was also prevalent in and around City 17. Īs there was little emphasis in maintaining non-essential parts of the city, many areas of City 17 suffered from urban decay prior to the Citadel's explosion. The industrial districts are seen linked to the city via railway lines and canals. The outskirts of City 17 featured industrial districts and additional project apartment blocks, most of which are seemingly considered off-limits to Citizens. This is supported by the appearance of a hospital, several cafés and restaurants, office buildings, and underground city systems much of said infrastructure was still relatively intact but disused. The city was large enough to provide all necessary needs for the citizens before the Combine's occupation. The Combine themselves occupied some former government buildings, such as the Overwatch Nexus, to help keep control over the city. However, some city infrastructure, such as power plants, were maintained by the Combine, and electricity was made widely available from both traditional sources and Combine generators. Conditions in such housings were typically poor and effectively bordering on slums, with very few luxuries and constant inspection and raids by Civil Protection. Under Combine rule, some city districts were divided into semi-isolated precincts and many residential buildings were used as accommodations for citizens. Soviet-style project apartment blocks also had a prominent appearance in the city. The core of the city consisted predominately of wall-to-wall buildings, with blocks of clustered low-rises made out of a variety of old and new buildings. At the heart of the city was the Citadel, a giant skyscraper which served as the hub of the Combine.

In addition, large screens were installed in several public areas to address Citizens regarding the Combine through Breencasts.

This created a distinct aesthetic style for the city, of Eastern European architecture juxtaposed with the cold, monolithic Combine technology. Upon the Combine's arrival on Earth, many new structures were constructed using their own style of architecture, with the possible intent of restricting Citizen movement throughout the city. It features architecture styles dating from pre-World War II neoclassicism, post-war classical designs, Soviet modernism, and post-Soviet contemporary designs. The Trainstation Plaza, under surveillance by Civil Protection units and equipment, with a ' Breencast' monitor, which Doctor Breen uses to address City 17 citizens.Ĭity 17 visually resembles a post-Soviet harbor city featuring mostly Eastern European architecture.

Half life 2 radio