Socio-Economic Development
Local Focus. Long-Term Value.
At Urban-Econ, we create meaningful insights into how people and economies grow together. Our Socio-Economic Services team doesn’t just crunch numbers, we make sense of them in a way that reflects real-life challenges and opportunities. Whether it’s measuring the impact of a new development or shaping a policy that affects local communities, we focus on how economic change plays out on the ground.
With deep experience across South Africa, our economists specialise in socio-economic research, development planning, and advanced economic modelling. We combine solid data with real-world context to deliver advice that drives real, lasting impact.
Services
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Economic, Social & Demographic Surveys
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Socio-economic Profiling
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Economic Modelling
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Socio-economic Modelling
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Macro-Economic Support Services/ Inputs
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Economic Impact Assessments
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Cost-Benefit Analysis
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Monitoring & Evaluation
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Econometric Modelling & Simulation
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Industry Value Chain Analysis
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Social & Labour Plans
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Development of Customised Modelling
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Stakeholder consultations.
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Data Modelling
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Scenario Formulation
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Economic Forecasting
Flagship Projects
Socio-Economic Impact Assessment of the Reconfiguration of the Umgeni and Mhlathuze Water Boards
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Location: KwaZulu Natal province
Urban-Econ Development Economists (Pty) Ltd was appointed by the Business and Social Research Institute (BSRI) to conduct a Socio-Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA) of the proposed reconfiguration of Umgeni Water and Mhlathuze Water Boards into a single, consolidated Regional Water Utility (RWU). This assessment formed a critical component of a multidisciplinary due diligence process that included financial, institutional, legal, technical, ICT, governance, and stakeholder engagement workstreams. The objective of the study was to assess the rationale, feasibility, and projected socio-economic implications of the merger. The assessment covered the gazetted water supply areas of both water boards—spanning vast portions of KwaZulu-Natal—and examined the likely impacts on service delivery, economic development, water affordability, and employment.
A key element of this project was the use of advanced economic and operational modelling techniques, including:
Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to evaluate the technical efficiency of the existing water boards using a range of input and output variables (e.g. operational expenditure, water volumes, and infrastructure capacity). The DEA identified potential gains from scale efficiencies and benchmarking opportunities across peer utilities.
Socio-economic baselining to understand the demographic, economic, and infrastructure conditions of the affected areas—highlighting issues such as income levels, unemployment, household access to water, and expenditure trends.
Affordability analysis, aligned with international benchmarks (e.g. World Bank, UNDP) to assess how the merger might impact water costs for households across different income levels.
Impact scenario evaluation to quantify expected changes in access to water, reliability of supply, compliance with water quality standards, and investment potential resulting from the reconfiguration.
Project Name: ABO Ujekamanzi Wind Energy Complex SEIA
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Project Location: Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Local Municipality, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Project Summary: Urban-Econ was appointed by Sivest to conduct a Socio-Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA) for the ABO Ujekamanzi Wind Energy Complex in the Mpumalanga Province. The wind energy complex is two wind energy farms with a combined installed capacity of 400MW. The project entailed a detailed project description, a needs and desirability analysis, policy alignment and baseline. The impact analysis included the identification of possible social and economic impacts during the construction and operational phases of the project. The impact ratings were determined as well as mitigation measures to reduce any potential negative impacts as a result of the project.
The Socio-Economic Impact and Perceptions of the MeerKAT/SKA
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The study involved the undertaking of a socio-economic impact assessment related to SARAO’s investment and activity surrounding the MeerKAT Radio Telescope/Square Kilometre Array (SKA), located in Carnarvon in the Northern Cape Province. The study aimed to determine the socio-economic impacts as well as the perceptions of the project the affected communities. Furthermore, the study determined the socio-economic impacts of SARAO’s activity and investment on a national level, through assessment of existing programmes and initiatives as well as investment in the form of economic impact modelling. The study determined and rated a number if impacts including impacts on innovation, scientific activity, society, and human capacity development.
