Expresión Gráfica Manual Digital como herramienta de análisis de los espacios públicos Patrimoniales de la Ciudad de Cuenca

Abstract

This research analyzes Digital Manual Graphic Expression as a tool to study social and cultural dynamics in heritage spaces in Cuenca's Historic Center, focusing on the Central Sector of El Vado. In contrast to technical digital representations that prioritize the quantifiable, the aim is to rescue the symbolic dimension through sensitive graphic representations. Through a qualitative methodology, combining documentary review, interviews with residents, merchants, and tourists, and participant observation, cultural practices, uses of space, and collective meanings were identified. These were translated into freehand digital drawings, reflecting physical and symbolic elements of the urban environment. Digital Manual Graphic Expression is consolidated as an effective tool to revalue heritage from a human, artistic, and technical perspective. The results show that it enriches the understanding of the urban fabric, makes visible social dynamics ignored by conventional methods, and promotes collective memory and a sense of belonging in historical contexts such as Cuenca.