Shops and others
Why not add some kind of feature that allows players to set up a shop? they have to first build a suitable building within a towns limits, and then they can either buy the shops stocks or they can "outsource" (pay an NPC to find materials, ranging from 1/2 wood and full bricks and stones to even (though rarely) teleporters depending on how much you pay said NPC)
Another idea is the ability to buy a town stone with gold. Make it somewhat expensive so that not just anyone can start a town, something along the lines of 1000g, and to make the plat version better it will be limited to how many people can be citizens of your "town" (though village would be the better term for what i have in mind). You would be limited to around 15 people (not counting the towns founder)
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Sgt_slime commented
I LOVE YOUR IDEA (the second part)