Players build up the village of Jerusalem into a Town by placing businesses, public services, recreational facilities, places of worship, extra roads and houses in an attempt to climb the Social ladder the highest (the gaining of 'footprints', which are VPs). Players may be able to demolish each other's work, vote on new Municipal structures (a Cathedral, an Airfield, a Reservoir - giant pieces that overlay whole sections of the landscape) and - generally - create a satirical vision of a typical English Town.
The playing area is a freeform space comprising a river and a Roman road dividing the area into each player's home sector containing their Mansion. Buildings can appear in any sector - the choice of the player guided by their own goals and the goals on shared higher-level buildings.
Jerusalem is a sandbox world.
—description from the designer