Ummmmmmmmmmm...while the game is in 3d (at least the models are), the game still has fixed cameras similar to the ones in SC3000. So, no street level view.
All well, still a great looking game.
Other cool things I hear about the game...now, streets and pipes could be automated by the computer. Now, you could turn the automation off, but it is there if you want.
Day and Night is done in real time. The Sims addition, only limited to 5, and all they do is give you what they feel in the neigborhood they live in.
As for the other cities in a given area, well, if you are in one city, as time goes by, the other cities times are also going by. So, my assumption is, either you won\'t be able to control the other cities

, or you can work with them, but the cities you are not working on, will be neglicted for a given time unless they are automated (like streets and so forth).
Oh, and one last thing, now food needs to come from somewhere, in order to feed your sims (farming communities, marinas, and so forth). More realism.
