Maybe that would sound like a good idea. The option to decrease and increase the population count.
Late last month I decided to invest and get a custom gaming PC. Sure it set me back NZ$2500, but it has Intel's best CPU (6th gen Intel Core i7 6700k) and Sapphire Nitro AMD Radeon R9 390 8GB GPU. It can handle this game on 1080p maxed settings at around 25-59fps (average 30fps on heavily detailed map with 2800 population), The Sims 4 on ultra settings 1080p @ 60fps, and Cities Skylines on maxed settings at 40-100fps.
I suggest to players who love this game to invest or have a PC which can play this game on 1080p High settings easily. That way you can enjoy the full flavour of this game. Sure it may set you back some $$$$, but people who pay the $$$$ will get to enjoy the full flavour of it. You reap what you sow. Sure it's only in Alpha stage and the game isn't optimized fully yet.