Hmm. I thought admin drew resources from the _unused_ 50% that a province doesn't use for itself, no?
I use Fortified Cities when I want high admin and don't plan of building lots of forts. I think it's a decent choice for Ulm.
I never use watchtowers. I think they are for weenies. If many winning players use watchtowers it is perhaps more a sign of the kind of mentality of player who chooses watchtowers, and who focuses on trying to win even if it means using weenie tactics.
PvK