I agree that smaller (newer) cities may not have the opportunity to have collected items that can be disenchanted. I agree that smaller (newer) cities may not have the opportunity to do many things in game. This is not necessarily a problem. Different cities at different points in game have different capabilities to concentrate on different goals. Different events are geared toward different levels of play and different interests. I distinctly remember my first event in game, when I realized that there was no way that I could possibly finish in totality. Then, I discovered some of the various "helper" sites like CrazyWizzard and GamersGemsOfKnowledge. That simply reinforced the fact that I could not possibly finish my second event, even with prior knowledge of the quest sequences. What I could, and did do, was to choose which events I could participate in, and choose how far to go within a particular event to achieve the particular goal that I was interested in at a particular time. Making choices along the way to conserve resources (goods, KP, space, etc,) for that "thing" that I really wanted next was important.
In my opinion, part of the appeal of the game is that it evolves as our cities grow. We cannot, and should not, be able to have everything, all at once, from the moment that we start the game. The game would be incredibly boring if this were the case. One of the main themes within the game, IMHO, is that choice is key. Choosing a particular race, starts the differences in play. Then, choice of play styles continues the theme (military strength, vs. passive negotiation). Other examples include: the choice of which Ancient Wonder(s) to pursue, when to pursue them, how to lay out your city, what to upgrade, in which order, etc. Each city is unique. Each player is unique. There are events for everyone out there, and the events continue to improve, over time. But, every event is not for everyone. "Choose wisely".
Maybe some smaller (newer) cities NEED to concentrate on other things rather than the next event. OR, maybe they NEED to focus on just a few quests within an event rather than feeling a requirement to complete the entire event. I know I have a sense of accomplishment when figuring points like this out.
Just a few thoughts of balance (because that is another theme that I see as key in game).