Office of External Services – DESE
The Office of Extension and External Services is FADEU’s interdisciplinary unit responsible for connecting academic knowledge and research and teaching initiatives with society’s needs. Since 2009, nearly 500 professionals have collaborated with DESE, which has carried out more than 130 studies and projects, establishing itself as a benchmark in community engagement and knowledge transfer.
These initiatives cover areas such as architecture, service design, and urban and territorial planning, with the aim of generating a positive, tangible, and sustainable impact on communities and on the country’s development.
DESE UC plays a crucial role in delivering UC’s “third mission,” promoting the transfer of applied knowledge that the Faculty fosters to address social, economic, and well-being challenges in Chile.
The studies conducted have made it possible to deepen the understanding of urban processes, considering regulations, policies, and economic resources, enriching the research and academic work of the specialists who participate in these projects. The use of theoretical approaches to respond to the demands of sectoral and municipal public bodies has built a valuable body of knowledge and practical experience.
Undoubtedly, DESE has been an essential driver in bringing UC’s academic talent to every corner of the country, strengthening Chile’s urban, cultural, and social development, and standing out as a benchmark both nationally and internationally in community engagement.
Team
DESE UC is made up of a multidisciplinary team of professionals with extensive experience in various areas of knowledge.
This team enriches each project with a comprehensive perspective that combines technical rigor, creativity, and innovation, enabling DESE UC to successfully undertake high-impact initiatives for different communities and territories across the country.
DESE Faculty Members and Project Leads
DESE has a team of faculty members and researchers with a recognized track record, from diverse disciplines and with extensive experience in developing strategic projects. They include experts in territorial planning and management, mobility and transport, socio-natural risks, urban design, urban regulations and morphology, as well as theory and history of architectural design.
Umberto Bonomo
Director
An architect from the Istituto Universitario di Architettura di Venezia and PhD in Architecture and Urban Studies from UC, Umberto Bonomo is an academic and administrator with an outstanding track record in social housing, urban development, and cultural heritage. As Director of DESE UC, he promotes collaboration between academia and society, driving innovative and sustainable solutions to urban and territorial challenges. He has served as a consultant for the IDB, Director of the UC Cultural Heritage Center (2018–2024) and of the Documentary Heritage and Digital Humanities Laboratory, as well as a founding member of Our World Heritage (OWH) and the Heritópolis Consortium, consolidating his national and international leadership in heritage management and urban planning.
Daniela Zaviezo
Associate Director of Development
An Engineer in Renewable Natural Resources (UCh) and Master in Human Settlements and Environment (UC), Daniela leads innovation processes, connecting DESE with the industry through the transfer of knowledge and technologies. She is a lecturer at IEUT, where she teaches the course “Urban Explorations: Sustainable Territories.” Her career focuses on urban and territorial planning, environmental management, sustainable development, and citizen participation, excelling in initiatives such as the Transfer for Innovation in Collaborative Management for Territorial Resilience, the CAPCA software, the demographic carrying capacity model for Easter Island, and the Tourist Destination Saturation Index.
Felipe Morales
Deputy Director
Geographer and Master in Urban Development from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, with over 25 years’ experience in urban planning, territorial development, and environmental management. An expert in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), he has led multidisciplinary projects for master plan development, strategic diagnostics, and risk assessments. Since 2011, he has served as Deputy Director of the Directorate of Outreach and External Services (DESE UC), strengthening the connection between academia and the public sector by managing teams and resources for high-impact sustainable urban and territorial initiatives.
Paulina García
Head of Urban Territorial Area
UC architect and Head of the territorial urban area at DESE UC, Paulina has been part of our team since 2013, contributing strategic vision, experience, and a strong commitment to collaborative work. Throughout these years, she has led various urban planning and territorial development projects, including: Featured projects: ▪ Target Image of the PRMC of Concepción ▪ PLADECO San Pedro de Atacama 2023–2027 ▪ Las Quintas Master Plan, Iquique (UNDP–MINVU) ▪ PLADECO Vitacura 2016–2030. She currently leads the Chinchorro Neighborhood Master Plan in Arica, promoted by the Neighborhood Recovery Program, in collaboration with MINVU and the PLADECO of the municipality of Las Condes.
Daniela Lobos
Head of Social Studies and Citizen Participation Area
Sociologist from the Universidad Academia de Humanismo Cristiano and Head of the Social Studies and Citizen Participation Area at DESE UC, specializing in citizen participation and a human rights approach to childhood. She has led and collaborated on various urban and territorial projects throughout the country, such as the master plans for the Chinchorro, Olivarera de Azapa, Umbral Norte, Lautaro, and Casa de Máquinas neighborhoods, as well as risk studies in El Noviciado and the Objective Image for the Metropolitan Regulatory Plan of Concepción. She also participates in the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) National Infrastructure Plan 2025–2050 and the Communal Development Plans (PLADECO) for Putaendo and San Pedro de Atacama.
Simón Guzmán
Head of Planning, Planning Area
Architect and Master in Urban Development from UC, he is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Architecture, Design and Urban Studies at FADEU.
His background and experience focus on essential topics for sustainable urban development. His research areas include: Urban form, urban-territorial planning, disaster risk, and climate change.
Among the projects he has participated in are:
Objective Image of the Metropolitan Regulatory Plan of Concepción.
MOP Master Plan 2023-2055.
Regional Energy Strategic Plan (PEER) for the Magallanes Region.
Daniel Moreno
Head of the Quantitative Studies Area
Economist (Universidad Externado de Colombia), Master’s in Urban Development and PhD in Architecture and Urban Studies (PUC). With over ten years of experience in consulting, research, and teaching in territorial planning, he has participated in projects at communal, regional, and national levels. His career includes the formulation of public policies such as the National Territorial Planning Policy (PNOT), the Urban Development Indicators System (SIEDU), and the Rural Quality of Life System (SICVIR). At DESE UC, he specializes in quantitative methodologies, socio-economic evaluation of urban projects, neighborhood revitalization studies, and construction price analysis. His work seeks to articulate data, models, and policies to strengthen urban and territorial management in Chile.
Carolina Moya
Head of the Communications Area
Journalist and graduate in Social Sciences and Information from Universidad Gabriela Mistral. She specializes in corporate and external communications, as well as book editing, event production, and media management.
Throughout her career, she has edited and produced books, notably “2012-2024. Three Periods. Thirteen Years of Management. Deanship of Mario Ubilla. Faculty of Architecture, Design, and Urban Studies” and “Suspensions. Initiatives and Projects During the Pandemic. FADEU 2020-2022”. Additionally, she is co-author of the book “Jardín de Chile”, published by Hueders, which reflects her commitment to the dissemination and promotion of culture.
Luis Lucero
Head of Architecture Department
An architect trained at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, he has developed his career at the institution since 1998. Throughout these years, he has participated in various projects in the urban, educational, service, and healthcare sectors, in collaboration with faculty academics. Additionally, he served as Architecture Coordinator at SEREX, PUC, until 2013, and has since worked as an independent architect on university and private projects.
Since 2025, he has served as Head of the Architecture Area at DESE, focusing on finding innovative and accessible architectural solutions, articulating space and environment to promote social well-being.
Lilian Bastías
Head of Tenders Department
Professional with extensive experience in academic management and strategic operations. Currently, she serves as Head of the Tenders Area, where she leads the development of strategic proposals and the administration of tenders, ensuring quality and regulatory compliance throughout the processes.
Her career includes a role as Head of Continuing Education at the UC School of Design, where she managed the planning, execution, and promotion of educational programs.
Her experience extends to the implementation of regulations, quality management (ISO 2728), budgeting, and team supervision, positioning her as a key asset in directing complex initiatives and ensuring operational efficiency and documentary rigor.
Betsy Solis
Executive Assistant
She has a solid track record of over 15 years, specializing in administrative management and project coordination, with notable experience at the Catholic University of Chile. Her profile is distinguished by strong competence in administrative and financial management, project coordination and support, and institutional articulation. She has worked in multiple roles as Executive Assistant in Extension and External Services (DESE), Continuing Education, and at the Wood Innovation and Development Center (CORMA), in addition to academic secretarial work. She holds technical training in Business Administration and has participated in several research projects as an assistant. Her education includes various courses in time management, problem-solving, service quality, and teamwork.