Usefulness of architectural drawing in urban planning decision-making for façade interventions: the ensanche of San Sebastián

The renovation of façades to improve energy efficiency has led to rapid and unregulated change in the landscape of cities. A loss of identity is occurring in urban centres, with previously unknown materials, textures and colours distorting the composition and style of buildings and their respective façade surfacing. This article considers the graphic research conducted to create a pilot system that encourages consistency in façade interventions. Modelling and rendering techniques can generate scenarios to test the consequences of certain regulations. Those graphic techniques were accordingly used to view different regulatory proposals applied to façades. More comparative decision-making based on realistic images is hence achieved, using graphic expression as a decision-making mechanism in urban planning.