Understanding of the SA Economy URBAN-ECON understands the SA economy on account of numerous economic and development projects successfully completed over a period of 18 years. Such exposure over time has equipped the team with insight and expert knowledge of the development and economic trends.

Integrating Spatial and Economic Principles URBAN-ECON specialises in integrating spatial planning principles with economic development, generally referred to as spatial economics. Such expertise allows for URBAN-ECON to understand the impact of economic changes and development of land-uses and therefore the property market.
Economic Potential Analysis URBAN-ECON specialises in economic sector analysis to identify the development potential of an economy. Each economic sector has its specific growth characteristics and location dynamics. Sectoral comparative advantages are identified which forms the basis of development guidelines for implementation.

Impact Assessments The economic impacts of investment and infrastructure projects such as airports, roads, water provision, electricity generation, water quality, casino development, mining investment, etc are determined. Economic modeling techniques, such as the multiplier analysis, are usually applied in determining structure changes and interpreting these in terms of impacts of project and proposed investments on the economy.

Human Resource Development URBAN-ECON understands the importance of human resource development and capacity buildings in projects and development. The firm has extensive experience in empowerment and incorporation of community perceptions and needs in projects.

Socio-economic Analysis The socio-economic situation of communities plays an important role in the participatory planning process applied in development projects. Several methods are utilised to obtain relevant and up-to-date socio-economic information of which household surveys are one of the important sources. Participative survey methods are used whereby community members are one trained and equipped with surveying skills to efficiently undertake the surveys under the expert supervision. The results provide a base for planning proposals, inputs towards environmental and economic impact studies, infrastructure capacity studies and feasibility analyses.
Small Business Development The entrepreneurial development and improvement of capacity within communities are crucial in promoting local economic development and the creation of employment opportunities. In identifying the economic potential and market opportunities, the development of the small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME) sector is emphasised.

Integrated Transport and Land-use Planning The optimal growth and development of the urban markets are directly dependent on servicing a specific market segment or catchment area as well as the cost of supply of input requirements in he economic process. Road access naturally plays an important role as to the size and nature of these market segments and the efficient input supply mechanism. Urban-economic modeling linked to land-use configurations progressed to such a level that different transport options can be simulated. In these models the land-use typologies and urban markets are integrated in such a manner that optimal forward planning solutions can be tested.

Resource Economics URBAN-ECON has required specific expertise in integration economic development principles with environmental and conservation issues to ensure sustainability. In this regard Local Agenda 21 principles are applied.
Water Management Economics Since water is regarded as a scarce resource in Southern Africa, the application of economics in resource management and planning becomes increasingly important. Assigning market principles to allocation options renders results that are used in resource management decision making. Economic and socio-economic research is regarded as an important component of water catchment studies, since it determines water utilisation be communities and economic activity consumption patterns which in turn impacts on infrastructure planning.

Financial Economic Feasibility The financial and economic feasibility of projects are determined to provide guidelines with respect to investment decisions. Unique analysis techniques are applied to accurately determine market demand for decision making, but even more important, to interpret the findings in practical development implementation guidelines based on financial feasibility parameters.
Funding Options The identification and sourcing of innovative financial options to secure and ensure the actual implementation of development opportunities are crucial for sustainable economic development.

Health Economics The incorporation of economic principles in the health sector is becoming increasingly important, especially in view of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. URBAN-ECON applies forecasting techniques to identify the economic impacts of the disease.