The city of Iryna is divided into 12 districts, each possessing their own local government as well as a distinct cultural character. The first six districts listed below developed organically as the city grew, and are located on ground level. The following six were designed in the early 900s by urban planners at the direction of the Kor'onen sisters, and are located on Iryna's upper platform.
Because each district elects two Representatives to Parliament, the exact division between districts has been cause for controversy. The primary point of contention is Upper Old Iryna, which is allocated two Representatives despite a population of just 63 persons[needs update], when other districts contain hundreds of thousands of residents. District residency also determines access to education and other city services. Highpark is included as a district for administrative purposes but is not officially a residential district, despite an "unofficial" homeless population.
Parliament Park contains many important government buildings, including Parliament and the Governor's Mansion. There are also residential areas for bureaucrats and government employees.
North Heights is a primarily commercial district, but is best known as the location of the IMI campus. Consequentially, the majority of residents are young students or working professionals.
Historically, Old Iryna was the home of the city's elite. After the elite relocated to the city's upper level, the vacated buildings were resettled by families who were less wealthy but still economically privileged. Old Iryna is one of the districts whose historic architecture has been best-preserved; more buildings are constructed from stone rather than marble, hemplime, or metal.
Little Oxana is named for the immigrant community from Oxana that settled in this district in the aftermath of the Champions War. In the modern day, it is primarily residential and low-income.
Smithton is the least-affluent district of Iryna, with a mix of residential apartments and businesses catering to local needs. Culturally, Smithton and Little Oxana can be difficult to distinguish.
Oceanview's main streets are packed with businesses, hotels, and tourist destinations of all kinds. The Port of Iryna is a hub for work and pleasure. The SmartStone Co. HQ is also located in one of Oceanview's many skyscraper office buildings. However, off the beaten path, crime and poverty are in abundant supply. Residents of the raft city are legally counted as residents of Oceanview.
Hospital Square is the largest of Iryna's districts, named for Iryna General, the city's main healthcare center. The rest of the district is evenly split between residential and commercial buildings.
Upper Old Iryna is the city's smallest and least-populous district, designed exclusively for the most elite Irynian families. The only buildings in this district are estates that take up one city block each. It is the only upper-level district that does not follow a grid system, its plan echoing the chaotic array of streets found in Old Iryna. Upper Old Iryna has only one school and one courthouse.
Although the upper platform has a reputation for being upper-class, there has been a recent incursion of lower-income residents in Breakwater Bend, mainly commuters to other districts.
Theophanes Terrace is a quiet residential district named after Theophanes, the arcane theorist whose work led to engineering innovations that made the upper platform's construction possible.
Mythril Mile is a hypermodern district full of new-money Irynians who made their fortunes in the magitech industry, with some commercial areas catering to a wealthy clientele.
Highpark is the city's main green space, large enough to be considered a district of its own despite containing no residential or commercial buildings, except for its amphitheater.