A method for implementation in a computing device for generating map images, the method comprising: receiving, via a communications network, a plurality of base map tiles associated with a first map image for a selected geographic region, each base map tile including one or more vector descriptors that indicates a geometry of a respective map element in accordance with a vector graphics format; preprocessing, using a processor, the vector descriptors in each base map tile to create a first set of rendering instructions for rendering the first map image as defined by the plurality of base map tiles; receiving, via the communication network, a set of difference map tiles for rendering a second map image for the selected geographic region, each of the set of difference map tiles including one or more indications of a modification of a vector descriptor to be applied to one of the plurality of base map tiles; preprocessing, using a processor, the one or more indications of the modifications of the vector descriptors to create a second set of rendering instructions for rendering the second map image, wherein preprocessing, using a processor, the one or more indications of the modifications of the vector descriptors to create the second set of rendering instructions includes defining a rendering sequence for the first set of rendering instructions and the second set of rendering instructions by interleaving at least one of the second set of rendering instructions between two of the first set of rendering instructions; and rendering, using a processor, the second map image via a user interface by implementing the first set of rendering instructions and the second set of rendering instructions, wherein rendering the second map image includes implementing the first set of rendering instructions and the second set of rendering instructions in the order defined by the rendering sequence, such that said rendering is performed in a manner that does not wipe out all of the data that has already been prepared for display of the base map tiles. receiving, via a communications network, a plurality of base map tiles associated with a first map image for a selected geographic region, each base map tile including one or more vector descriptors that indicates a geometry of a respective map element in accordance with a vector graphics format; preprocessing, using a processor, the vector descriptors in each base map tile to create a first set of rendering instructions for rendering the first map image as defined by the plurality of base map tiles; receiving, via the communication network, a set of difference map tiles for rendering a second map image for the selected geographic region, each of the set of difference map tiles including one or more indications of a modification of a vector descriptor to be applied to one of the plurality of base map tiles; preprocessing, using a processor, the one or more indications of the modifications of the vector descriptors to create a second set of rendering instructions for rendering the second map image, wherein preprocessing, using a processor, the one or more indications of the modifications of the vector descriptors to create the second set of rendering instructions includes defining a rendering sequence for the first set of rendering instructions and the second set of rendering instructions by interleaving at least one of the second set of rendering instructions between two of the first set of rendering instructions; and rendering, using a processor, the second map image via a user interface by implementing the first set of rendering instructions and the second set of rendering instructions, wherein rendering the second map image includes implementing the first set of rendering instructions and the second set of rendering instructions in the order defined by the rendering sequence, such that said rendering is performed in a manner that does not wipe out all of the data that has already been prepared for display of the base map tiles.