Dubai Muncipality Case Study

Explore our Dubai Municipality case study to see how MCC provided a comprehensive economic impact assessment for the Dubai Strategic Sewerage Tunnel (DSST), a multi-billion-dirham mega-project designed to revolutionize the city’s wastewater infrastructure. Our analysis identified key economic, environmental, and societal benefits, supporting informed decision-making for one of Dubai’s most ambitious urban development projects.

What the Client Needed?

Dubai Municipality required an in-depth assessment of the economic, environmental, and social impacts of the Dubai Strategic Sewerage Tunnel (DSST). Given its estimated cost of AED 30 billion to AED 80 billion, the municipality needed a comprehensive evaluation of the tunnel’s direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts, an analysis of key economic drivers, insights into environmental benefits, such as reductions in power consumption, CO₂ emissions, and improvements in climate resilience.

How we Helped them?

Estimating the impact of wastewater project in Dubai

MCC delivered a detailed economic impact study, helping Dubai Municipality understand the far-reaching benefits of the DSST project. Our contributions included:

  1. Economic Impact Assessment:
    • Identified the direct, indirect, and induced economic effects of the tunnel on Dubai’s economy.
    • Analyzed job creation, multiplier effects, and GDP contributions resulting from the construction and long-term operation of the system.
    • Evaluated sector demand growth, particularly in construction, transportation, and related industries.
  2. Environmental and Energy Efficiency Analysis:
    • Assessed reductions in power consumption by replacing existing pumping stations with gravity-fed tunnels.
    • Calculated the CO₂ emissions savings and the tunnel’s role in enhancing Dubai’s climate resilience.
    • Provided insights on the impact on water supply reliability and conservation, reinforcing Dubai’s climate change mitigation efforts.
  3. Public Health and Infrastructure Benefits:
    • Identified reduced public disruption from infrastructure failures, leakages, and emergency repairs.
    • Highlighted the long-term benefits for sanitation, health, and resilience against future pandemics like COVID-19.
  4. Urban and Reputational Advantages:
    • Demonstrated how the project would enhance land use, reduce brownfield sites, and support Dubai’s urban expansion.
    • Assessed the reputational benefits of positioning Dubai as a leader in sustainable and innovative urban infrastructure.
    • Explored how the project could attract top-tier talent and investment, further solidifying Dubai’s status as a global economic hub.

I was delighted that MCC's work was completed on time, and within budget, helping us deliver important changes and improvements, to the benefit of our stakeholders. ​ MCC's report is published on the CCC website.

- Bea Natzler
Team Leader at Climate Change Committee, UK

I am delighted to recommend MCC Economics. Specifically, I worked closely with PJ, who helped us with our Nuclear and CCUS projects. PJ helped us develop new policies and answer questions from our stakeholders. ​​His support helped us deliver important changes and improvements, to the benefit of our stakeholders.

- Gordon Hutcheson
Head of Nuclear Policy at Ofgem, UK

MCC Economics has helped us better understand the most important issues for our stakeholders, including: charges, shareholder returns, debt payments and inflation impacts.

- Leila N. Nasr
Section Head at Department of Energy, Abu Dhabi