Our economists and data scientists sit within Cities Studio, a specialist team that brings together Mott MacDonald’s placemaking expertise to devise innovative, integrated and deliverable urban solutions for our clients. By combining place economics with planning and urban design, we ensure socioeconomic value is considered at the earliest stage of scheme formation, improving outcomes for all.
Place economics begins at the visioning phase of scheme development. We ensure that underlying each placemaking vision is a comprehensive evidence base incorporating economic, social, cultural and environmental data. Using correlation analysis on this data, we identify opportunities for each place that learn from what has worked elsewhere. This allows us to offer our clients development ambitions that are stretching – but achievable.
Economics and analytics are central to how we approach urban design and masterplanning. By integrating data, processes and technology with planning and placemaking, we ensure our designs account for the interdependence of the different systems that underpin urban life, and are guided by a focus on sustainability, liveability and inclusive growth.
We recognise that many complex development schemes need public-sector support to unlock them. Our place economists have extensive experience in making the case for investment to all levels of government. By applying models and methodologies that comply with national guidance on policy, programme and project appraisal (such as HM Treasury’s Green Book in the UK), we undertake a holistic assessment of scheme value-for-money covering economic, social and environmental impacts. This approach has secured more than £500M of funding from UK government agencies for our clients over the last three years.
Our clients include national governments, local authorities, transport agencies, property developers, lenders and investors – as well as the wider business community. We work across the UK and internationally.
Our services
- Business cases
- Socio-economic impact assessments
- Economic development strategies
- Research reports
- Socio-economic baselining
- Value for money assessment
- Optioneering
- Project funding and financing strategies
- Government funding applications
- Model development
Project examples
West London Orbital funding and financing study, UK (Transport for London and West London Alliance)
Our experts led a major study for a new proposed orbital rail line in West London. We developed a series of costing and revenue models, and an overall cash flow model to assess funding and financing options for the proposed rail scheme, based on transit-orientated development scenarios.
Arden Cross development business case (Arden Cross consortium)
We undertook a detailed economic appraisal of a range of development options at Arden Cross in the West Midlands, a strategically important location that will host the planned HS2 interchange station that is located adjacent to the NEC and Birmingham International Airport. Our work focused on how best to optimise this complex site and advise on the enabling infrastructure required to deliver this nationally significant development.