In some colonies they laid out the decumanus maximus so that it contained the highway (via consularis) running through the colony, for example, in Campania in the colony of Anxur (Terracina). The decumanus maximus is seen along the Via Appia. Land capable of cultivation has received limits; the remainder is surrounded by rocky crags, and its outer boundary is demarcated. . .by landmarks and place names.

In some colonies that were established later, for example, Haïdra in Africa, the decumanus maximus [main street] and the kardo maximus [cross street] start from the town and are drawn on limites through the four gates as in the case of a military camp, like wide roads. This is the most attractive system of establishing limites [boundaries]. The colony embraces all four areas of the allocated land and is close to farmers on every side, and all the inhabitants have equal access to the forum from all directions. Similarly in military camps the groma [surveying instrument] is set up at the crossroads where men can assemble, as to a forum.