Buffert zones against enemies

[aersch]

Is that a good idea? To take one outer layer of cities from the enemies, and raze them, so that it's a buffert against future invasions? Also fortifying this buffert with your own troops.

I mean, you get gold from razing, no administration costs, and a tactical advantage. Also, you don't have to mind any cultural influence from the enemy in your own territory.
Any cons?

 

[nanomage]

AI will rush to settle this land, so you will have to either control it culturally or confront all who are going to drop a city there.

 

[aersch]

I thought cities couldn't be built when there where units from another civ in the initial city radius?

And still, they could resettle, but then they'd have to start all over so I still get an advantage.

 

[UncleJJ]

I don't raze many cities and certainly not to protect my border. The AI will only re-settle another city in the vacant space and if it's neutral territory another AI might come along.

I do have a concept of a border region though. In this area I build my cities differently as they are likely to come under attack, in fact I welcome the enemy attacking my cities here as it is easy to defeat them inside my own territory. Border cities are developed differently. They get walls and cultural buildings (library is a good dual purpose building) and then courthouses (to cut costs). Generally they will not work cottages, as farms are more productive, and forests will get chopped next to the city. Inside the cultural area of my border region (taken from the enemy and what you say is razed) I will look for good places to build a fort and use those as well as the walled cities to control the border. Build plenty of roads so your troops can move freely inside your culture while the enemy can't use roads, unless they have the Commando promotion.

In general these border cities will not add much to your economy but if you run a few scientists with spare food and build a courthouse they won't actually cost you. On the plus side they add considerably to your power rating (extra walls, troops and barracks) and that will deter enemy attacks. So it is usually better to keep cities and develop them unless they are really badly placed. Even if they are under cultural pressure that can be countered by a garrison and by developing your own culture in the city itself and help from your nearby cities. Plus the cities will control resources and evenif you already have those resources later in the game spare resources can be useful for trades.

 

[nanomage]

I thought cities couldn't be built when there where units from another civ in the initial city radius?

And still, they could resettle, but then they'd have to start all over so I still get an advantage.

actually, they can. If you have OB with city owner, units stay intact, otherwise they are expelled from the city radius.
yes, they will have to build the cities from the beginning, but wouldn't it be better if you just captured them instead of razing and turned into your bastions?