I feel the way the notification bar for events on the right side on the strategic map is not used optimally. Most events happening in a new turn should go there. Currently there is a mix of popup dialogs that lock me in, and the notification bar. Popup dialogs have been pretty much standard for these kind of games. For example, if your build queue in a city runs empty you will be greeted by a popup in the next round which demands a decision what to build next.

But I feel these lock-in-popups are contrary to the spirit of the game. The core of the game for me is clever decision making. By planning better and making better decisions than my opponents, I'm going to win the game. To make good decisions I often have to do some research about what is currently going on in my empire and the game in general. The lpopups don't allow me to gather information before I decide. The notification bar is much better as I can click on whatever event there is in any order I desire. If I can not decide on the spot I can leave the event and first check whatever I have to check to make a good decision. The notification bar gives me more control and freedom of choise.

Therefore I feel events like leveling a city should definitely go into the notification bar. When I'm asked if I want the additional crystals from my city I really would like to check how much crystal I already get, or how much more crystal I could get from resources in the area that are still free. But the popup disables the complete UI. Sometimes I haven't yet decided what to do with my city, if it should be a Fortress or a Conclave. Then I really would like to check the surrounding area for resources or check another city to see if it would be a better Fortress.

Another problem I have with popups is that the interfere with my plans. I may be scatter brained, but usually I end my turn with a plan what to do first next turn. But if something pops up next round I often forget what I wanted to do. The popup shifts my focus to some other problem.
So, I'd like to see as much events as possible in the notification bar and not as popup. It's not possible for all of them, but for most I think. The mandatory ones should prevent you from going to the next turn, as long as they are not handled.

The way the bar is currently used is completely contrary to how I would like it. Popups for build queues are not so bad as I can always go back and change what I build. On the other hand leveling a city can not be taken back and it is far more important than the build queue.