They said they avoided giving out older event building, but they've actually heavily promoted them since the last Glacier event. Which means the necessity of re-balancing the event buildings because new players don't have the chance to get them is... But lets have a look at the actual re-balancing that is supposed to make it fairer for new player:
Hybrid buildings generally lost population and culture when received during chapter 1 to 8 with Gaelagil's Balcony being the only exception that gives additional culture and population.
Everyone who received these buildings while in later chapters generally won population or stayed unaffected with only two exceptions. But even then, the losses are significantly lower than in chapter 8 (Scream of Halloween- chapter 8 minus 1030 pop, chapter 9 minus 500 pop, chapter 10 minus 300 pop rest unaffected; Glacier Garden - chapter 8 minus 650 pop, chapter 9 to 11 minus 100 each).
The culture for hybrid buildings was reduced for chapters 1 to 8 and either stayed the same or was reduced for higher chapters.
The pure culture buildings have increased culture for chapters 1 to 3. Chapters 9 to 12 either stayed the same or got an increase as well. Chapters 6 and 7 generally lost culture, with the codex the only buildings that increased culture for everyone. Chapter 8 buildings have the same outcome with the signpost being the only difference as the value hasn't been changed for them. Chapters 4 and 5 have mixed results, 4 mostly getting additional culture with only few exceptions whereas chapter 5 is generally treated like chapter 6 and 7 but got a small surplus on 2 or 3 occasions when chapter 6 and 7 lost culture.
Conclusion: The big winner are not new players as promised, but those beyond chapter 8. If affected, then with a surplus on culture on the pure culture buildings and a surplus on population for hybrid buildings, although culture was reduced when pop was changed.
Everyone else who gained a hybrid building lost both, population and culture- in some cases a significantly high number of population, bringing the game play to a hold. A clear loss loss situation for the gaming community - and developers alike, because displeased players don't spend money but advise against joining the game.