2. Factorio with RNG, like having wear and tear for machines, random failures, machines producing faulty parts.
3. Crusader Kings 2, without the military micro management.
One way I have potentially solved this issue is by giving players the ability to design their own buildings in game. The player will see only the interior of the building, so I dont have to worry about making buildings look good (that's up to the player).
I dont have a video featuring this yet, but if you want to see what I've got so far, I've got a path finding tech demo here:
Paradox games often do have player just waiting for a thing to happen, like forging a fake claim to a territory to get a causus belli. Yes it is a boring part of the game, and makes it feel like a "waiting game", just waiting for a progress bar to fill.