The Tiny València map renders every real building in a seamless pixel‑art style, from the city centre to the surrounding wetlands.
TINY VALÈNCIA LAUNCHES ISOMETRIC PIXEL MAP OF SPANISH CITY
*A full‑municipal pixel‑art replica of Valencia, Spain, rendered from real 3D data. The map mimics SimCity aesthetics while preserving every actual building.*
A pixel‑art version of Valencia, Spain, has gone live at tinyvalencia.com. The site delivers an isometric map that covers the entire municipal term, from the historic huerta to the wetlands of the Albufera. Every structure is a real building, rendered from authentic 3D data and then repainted in a hand‑picked pixel style. The project blends the nostalgic feel of SimCity with rigorous geographic sourcing, offering a seamless visual experience that can be explored with familiar drag‑and‑zoom controls. Its launch marks a rare convergence of open‑source mapping, AI‑driven image processing, and public‑domain data, all packaged for instant web access.
How does Tiny València recreate the city?
Tiny València builds an isometric view from a fixed camera that captures the entire municipal term. Real 3D city data is fed into an image model trained on a hand‑picked pixel‑art style. The model repaints the scene tile by tile, each tile continuing the painted neighbours to keep the city seamless. Every building appears as a real structure, drawn from above at the same angle, block by block. The sea, port basins and the Albufera receive the same treatment, creating a uniform visual language across natural and built environments.
What data sources power the map?
The map draws on multiple public datasets. Building footprints come from the Dirección General del Catastro. Aerial photos and terrain data are licensed from IGN (PNOA, MDT05) under CC BY 4.0. Roads, boundaries, coastlines and search functionality rely on OpenStreetMap contributors under ODbL. For 3D reference, the project uses Google Photorealistic 3D Tiles accessed via Cesium ion. These sources supply the geometric backbone that the pixel‑art model reinterprets.
What navigation tools does the site provide?
Users can drag to move across the map, scroll or pinch to zoom, and double‑click to zoom in on a specific area. Keyboard shortcuts include R for a random view, H for the whole map, F for full screen, / for search, and G for play mode. The address bar updates with the current view, so any copied link opens directly to that location. This interactivity mirrors classic SimCity controls while leveraging modern web navigation.
Why does the map matter for urban visualization?
By converting authoritative cadastral and aerial data into a stylized isometric canvas, Tiny València demonstrates a new way to present complex urban information. The seamless tile‑by‑tile rendering preserves spatial accuracy while offering an instantly recognizable aesthetic. It bridges technical GIS data and public‑facing graphics, making the city's full extent—from the huerta to the Albufera—accessible to both planners and casual browsers. The project hints at future applications where real‑world data can be repackaged for education, tourism, and civic engagement without sacrificing fidelity.
Frequently asked questions
What is Tiny València?
Tiny València is an isometric pixel‑art map of Valencia, Spain, where every building is a real one drawn from above at the same angle, block by block.
How was the pixel‑art map created?
Real 3D city data is rendered from a fixed isometric camera, then an image model trained on a hand‑picked pixel‑art style repaints it tile by tile, ensuring seamless continuity.
Which data sources does Tiny València use?
The map uses building data from Dirección General del Catastro, aerial photo and terrain from IGN (PNOA, MDT05) CC BY 4.0, roads and boundaries from OpenStreetMap contributors ODbL, and 3D reference tiles from Google via Cesium ion.
Tiny València proves that high‑resolution civic data can be transformed into an engaging, game‑like visual without losing precision. As more cities consider similar reinterpretations, the line between functional GIS tools and public‑friendly art will continue to blur. The map’s open‑source foundations ensure it can be updated, expanded, or repurposed, setting a template for future digital urban showcases.
Sources: Hacker News (Show HN: Valencia, Spain in Sim City/Isometric View), https://tinyvalencia.com/