Simulacra Cities - Lānaʻi 2023
Simulacra Cities
Project Goals - Preservation, Education, Inspiration
Why Lānaʻi?
This idea originated from a desire to recreate the island of Oahu. In order to test the engine mechanics and feasibility, Lānaʻi was chosen as a small scale test. This is still a work in progress but hopefully the pictures can help convey the vision for this project.
The entire island of Lānaʻi is captured in a 1:1 scale using real-world data. Being able to capture such a large area was previously impossible in city building games.
Welcome to Lānaʻi! A custom made runway with accurate markings.
Good morning Lānaʻi! Utilizing real life GPS coordinates, the suns movements are replicated across seasons creating realistic sunrises and sunsets.
Key areas or features are highlighted in meticulous detail. Pictured is Dole Park, a centerpiece of the city and community of Lanai. Every tree was placed individually respecting its real-life location.
Residential growth is stagnant with a lack of jobs. Ouch! Too real!
Important areas can be labeled as districts.
Districts can be further labeled with a description using the District Note mod.
The population is scarily accurate.
An affordable way to view Lānaʻi!
"What if?" scenarios can be built and tested with minimum risks.
Preservation
Realizing the importance and rarity of historical data, one of our founding goals is to record today’s history for tomorrow’s generations. Cities are ever-changing; while modern maps are instantly accessible, visualizing the past requires intentional effort.In Lānaʻi’s case, a town rooted in its plantation heritage, this map reveals how dramatically the landscape has shifted. With multiple expansion projects on the horizon, our work captures not only the physical layout but the cultural essence of Lānaʻi as it exists now, ensuring its story isn’t lost to development.
Education
Unlike traditional static maps that prioritize geography and landmarks, this Lānaʻi map leverages the simulation mechanics of Cities: Skylines II to expose the critical, often unseen systems that sustain urban life. By reconstructing the city with real-life data, the project transforms abstract utilities into tangible learning tools.Our map replicates the exact locations and capacities of physical infrastructure like power generation, water filtration, sewage treatment, and waste management. In the game, these are not optional; without them, the city fails. This mechanic teaches a vital lesson: urban survival depends on systems we rarely see.Beyond pipes and wires, the map highlights social infrastructure: schools, police stations, clinics, and fire departments. In Cities: Skylines II, these services directly affect citizen happiness, safety, and education levels.
Inspiration
This map is not a finished product but a foundation for infinite possibilities. Its interactivity allows users to step beyond observation into experimentation, transforming the project from a static archive into a living laboratory for urban planning.For realistic planning, the map serves as a critical tool to visualize the impact of potential developments before they break ground. Users can test controversial proposals, such as the historical "Big Wind" project that once threatened to install 170 turbines across Lānaʻi, to see exactly how such infrastructure would reshape the horizon or strain local utilities. This capability allows the community to explore the visual and functional consequences of renewable energy projects, housing expansions, or tourism developments in a risk-free environment, providing data-driven insights into how modern changes might interact with the island's delicate historical fabric.Conversely, the platform offers creative freedom to rewrite history or imagine the future. Users are not bound by reality; they can transform Lānaʻi into a futuristic eco-haven, a high-density metropolis, or a complete fantasy landscape that never existed. Because the game is digital and heavily supported by a modding community, the map can grow forever. It invites creators to add custom assets, modify terrain, and expand the city limits, ensuring that the story of Lānaʻi continues to evolve, limited only by the imagination of those who explore it.
FAQ
Why Lānaʻi? - This idea originated from a desire to recreate the island of Oahu. In order to test the engine mechanics and feasibility, Lanai was chosen as a small scale test.Why 2023? - Much of the data comes from satellite view photos from various mapping sources. 2023 happens to be the most current data available.How was this made? - The map was made in a modified version of Cities: Skylines 2.How can I access the map? - The completed map will be shared for free on Paradox mods - the official source for community content. A copy of Cities: Skylines 2 is required along with the required (free) mods. DLC may be required to access all features.
About Us
Simulacra Cities is a digital art studio founded on Oahu. Treating the modern simulation engine as an active canvas, the studio utilizes real-world spatial data, 3D architecture, and urban physics to construct living digital reflections of physical geography. Simulacra Cities is an independent studio and not associated with Paradox Interactive or Ice Flake Studios.
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About Us
Simulacra Cities is a digital art studio founded on Oahu. Treating the modern simulation engine as an active canvas, the studio utilizes real-world spatial data, 3D architecture, and urban physics to construct living digital reflections of physical geography. Simulacra Cities is an independent studio and not associated with Paradox Interactive or Ice Flake Studios.