I had this idea for a mod a day or so ago; I've thought it through, however I'm unfortunately not skilled enough to make such a mod myself, so I wanted to share it to the community so if anyone wants to, they can make it instead. While the mod wouldn't change any game mechanics, it would have to significantly change the textures of game assets and also change some in-game names/texts.
What I'm suggesting is a modern day mod, with modern day buildings, resources and concepts. The following buildings would need retexturing/renaming:

• Keep = Capitol
  
• Road = Road (unpaved, dirt road)
  
• Stone Road = Paved Road (asphalt)
  
• Hovel = Low-Rise
  
• Cottage = Mid-Rise
  
• Manor = High-Rise
  
• Town Square = Plaza
  
• Cemeteries = Cemeteries
  
• Cemetery Caretaker = Morgue (or Cemetery Caretaker)
  
• Garden = Park
  
• Church = Theater
  
• Library = School
  
• Clinic = Clinic
  
• Hospital = Hospital
  
• Fountain = Fountain
  
• Large Fountain = Large Fountain
  
• Bath House = Pool
  
• Lord Levi = Skyscraper (name not decided)
  
• Queen Barbara = Skyscraper (name not decided)
  
• Lord Nextraztus = Skyscraper (name not decided)
  
• Great Library = University
  
• Cathedral = Stadium
  
• Farm = Farm
  
• Small Granary = Small Granary
  
• Granary = Granary
  
• Windmill = Wind Turbine
  
• Baker = Bakery
  
• Orchard = Orchard
  
• Produce Storage = Produce Storage
  
• Fishing Hut = Fishing Port (or Hut?)
  
• Fishmonger = Seafood Restaurant
  
• Swineherd = Swineherd
  
• Butcher = Barbecue restaurant
  
• Small Market = Corner Store
  
• Market = Supermarket
  
• Wood Castle Block = Barbed Wire Block
  
• Wooden Gate = Border Checkpoint
  
• Castle Block = Concrete Block
  
• Stone Gate = Reinforced Checkpoint
  
• Castle Stairs = Access Stairs
  
• Archer Tower = Gun Turret
  
• Ballista Tower = Rocket Artillery
  
• Treasure Room = Bank
  
• Chamber of War = Ministry of Defense
  
• Great Hall = Embassy
  
• Moat = Moat
  
• Barracks = Barracks
  
• Archer School = Artillery Academy
  
• Small Stockpile = Small Warehouse
  
• Stockpile = Warehouse
  
• Rock Removal = Resource Removal
  
• Outpost = Town Hall
  
• Dock = Dock
  
• Transport Ship = Cargo Ship
  
• Troop Transport Ship = Naval Ship
  
• Pier = Pier
  
• Bridge = Wooden Bridge
  
• Drawbridge = Movable Bridge
  
• Stone Bridge = Bridge

Now onto the questionable and more complicated part - resources. Wood should be renamed to Timber or Lumber and Gold to Money, for a more modern feel. I was thinking Iron should become Oil (Iron Rocks would become Oil Fields), due to its in-game use in both military and work efficiency. Iron Mines would become Oil Pumps, Blacksmiths would become (Oil) Refineries, while Tools and Armaments would become Civil or Industrial Fuel and Military Fuel respectively. I'm not very satisfied or sure about the last two names so input in the comments would be greatly appreciated. Stone should be some sort of material, preferably concrete, but Steel or Ores could also work. This would rename Quarries to Rotary Kilns and Masons to (Construction) Factories. Charcoal should probably become (Consumer) Goods, due to it's use in both markets and citizens' demand for it. That would rename Charcoal Makers to Goods Factories, although it doesn't really make sense why a refinery would need common goods made from timber of all things.
Water mechanics in the game would become electricity. The Noria should be renamed to Power Plant and retextured to look like a coal power plant (explains the requirement of water nearby). Aqueducts would become Power Lines. Wells would become (Distribution) Substations, while Reservoirs would become Distribution Towers. A lack of proper power (actually water) could cause faulty wiring, which would increase the risk of a fire. This aligns with the mechanics of the game. The thing is, it doesn't make sense why upon the appearance of a fire, a bunch of people would carry light blue water asset boxes from a electrical substation to it. But I'll have to think about that one some more. Fire Brigades would most likely just become Fire Departments/Brigades and they would keep their water-based function.
Additionally, some animated assets will have to be retextured and renamed.

• Small Dragon = Fighter Plane
  
• Large Dragon = Bomber Plane
  
• Viking/Swordsmen Leader = (Military) General
  
• Archer Leader = Artillery Gun
  
• Vikings/Swordsmen = Infantry Soldiers
  
• Archers = Artillery Crew
  
• Ogre = Tank

Any input, comment, recommendation or similar is welcome. As I said before, if anyone wants to get down to it, it'd be great to see this mod be created. I am also very willing to help out in areas I am able to.