Daniel Viliesid

Daniel recounts experiences of studying MSc Environment and Sustainable Development at the Development Planning Unit

I grew up in Mexico and completed a BSc in Industrial and Systems Engineering at Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) in 2001. I then gained several years experience in the construction and environmental services industry before moving to the UK in 2005, where I completed the MSc degree in Environment and Sustainable Development (ESD) at University College London (UCL).

Upon graduation from my first degree, I worked in various property development projects, focusing primarily on infrastructure and services. I played an important role in the overall sustainability strategy for the projects and in the expansion strategy for the business.

During the second half of the ESD course I began to look for and apply for jobs within London. I started to work for BioRegional Quintain in October 2006 as a Sustainability Integrator. Bioregional-Quintain is an entrepreneurial, independent environmental organisation who develops award winning, commercially viable products and services which meet more of our everyday needs from local renewable and waste resources.

My role within this is to support BQL’s Sustainability Team Leader, Sustainability Project Managers, and construction partners; ensuring implementation of all sustainability measures, construction and non-construction related, to enable future residents to make sustainable lifestyle choices. I have subsequently become a registered BRE EcoHomes assessor.