cheers jay, thats the bit I've been spending most of the time on so far

thanks tiddles, I like your ideas with showing the scale off more (the skyscraper textures at present are too large so changing them might help). The road network will be pretty much self regulated other than robotic traffic style cones that quickly move in, block accident areas off and remove debris (kind of doing the job of the police, ambulance and fire services all in one). The roads are also pretty much their own separate units because of this and 'generally' no pedestrians will be on the main areas but may be around junction areas where the roads leave and join.
That's not to say the building towards the front right cant have people or items to give a better scale present

thanks wasatch5_sparticus, I'm not too worried about the shadow pixellation yet but I've made a note as to what you said so it can be altered later