When it was first announced that our cities would be moved nearer to the active centre by just ticking the box we were excited... I had just 9 active neighbours and the rest were shells, although we did get free gold every month or so, and the great day came... who would get moved? There was a movement in my neighbourhood, ONE of my active neighbours got moved out and the rest of us stayed put and have been here ever since.
With over 465 scouted provinces I'm delighted to report that I have about 11 active neighbours who reciprocate on visits....
Rather than fill the holes once the monthly deletion is done, why can't we move the active people nearer to the middle as was done the first couple of times when it was first set up. That way all the "shells" will be left behind, rather than continually giving us tiny cities who disappear a few days later, usually with their main hall under permanent construction, no culture buildings to polish and a builder which is full after 2 visits.