These are the mechanics that will slightly interact with maps, but the majority of the mechanics themselves happen outside of maps, in their separate areas or arenas.
Settlers of Kalguur
This video is meant to explain the whole mechanic of Settlers of Kalguur League in Path of Exile 1.
Sanctum
Sanctum is a roguelike mechanic in PoE that can be done separately from Maps themselves! We progress through the rooms and floors in search of treasure!
Synthesis
Synthesis is a mechanic that is mostly separate from Maps, where we can drop items that are Synthesized (implicit changed) or Fractured (golden-colored locked explicit modifier on an item) and it also has major content outside of Maps!
Heist
Heist as a mechanic is mostly out of maps, in maps there are Smuggler’s Caches which drop Heist contracts or Blueprints and Rogue Markers which are used as Heist Currency.