URB-B.06.A - Legitimate Tenure Rights Commitment
Does the company commit to recognising and respecting legitimate tenure rights of those affected by its operations?
About the data
The WBA Urban Benchmark measures and ranks the world's most influential companies on their efforts to shape sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban environments, tracking how companies address essential urban needs while respecting planetary boundaries across dimensions including decent work and human rights, environmental and climate impacts, social inclusion, and sustainability leadership. The 2026 edition assessed 300 companies across four key industries shaping urban environments: real estate, construction and engineering, transport, and utilities. Companies were scored on 24 urban-specific indicators plus 18 core social indicators, spanning four measurement areas: sustainable governance, inclusive cities, healthy cities, and climate change and resilient cities. The benchmark is designed to incentivise the private sector to take adequate responsibility for its role in ensuring affordable, safe and inclusive urban environments for all. More information can be found here.
Methodology
Land and property are crucial assets, forming the foundation for economic activity and
providing residents with livelihood opportunities. In urban settings, they enable access to employment
opportunities and can enhance access to credit (Hudson, 2017; Deininger, 2003). Conversely,
insecurity of tenure can impair households' ability to earn livelihoods and enjoy a good quality of life,
which could translate to dilapidated, unkempt neighbourhoods and slum areas (Hudson, 2017). Urban
companies can address this by respecting diverse land rights, conducting due diligence on the impact
of their developments on local land uses and adhering to land use laws, in turn bolstering security of
tenure. The real estate and utilities sectors can further enhance tenure security by providing users with
legally recognisable documentation during transactions, which can be used to support people's claims
over land and property.
Research Guidance
The company commits to either: (1) the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure (VGGT), or (2) the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards.
Simply stating adherence to local land rights laws is insufficient due to instances where comprehensive or effective legal frameworks to protect land rights are not in place.
The company's commitment should be clearly articulated in a policy document, using strong and explicit language to demonstrate its commitment to respecting and upholding land rights.
Examples of strong language: We commit to uphold the VGGT and IFC Performance Standards; We adhere to international standards on land rights, including the VGGT
Examples of weak language: We comply with national land laws; We aim to respect land rights where applicable; We consider land tenure issues
providing residents with livelihood opportunities. In urban settings, they enable access to employment
opportunities and can enhance access to credit (Hudson, 2017; Deininger, 2003). Conversely,
insecurity of tenure can impair households' ability to earn livelihoods and enjoy a good quality of life,
which could translate to dilapidated, unkempt neighbourhoods and slum areas (Hudson, 2017). Urban
companies can address this by respecting diverse land rights, conducting due diligence on the impact
of their developments on local land uses and adhering to land use laws, in turn bolstering security of
tenure. The real estate and utilities sectors can further enhance tenure security by providing users with
legally recognisable documentation during transactions, which can be used to support people's claims
over land and property.
Research Guidance
The company commits to either: (1) the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure (VGGT), or (2) the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards.
Simply stating adherence to local land rights laws is insufficient due to instances where comprehensive or effective legal frameworks to protect land rights are not in place.
The company's commitment should be clearly articulated in a policy document, using strong and explicit language to demonstrate its commitment to respecting and upholding land rights.
Examples of strong language: We commit to uphold the VGGT and IFC Performance Standards; We adhere to international standards on land rights, including the VGGT
Examples of weak language: We comply with national land laws; We aim to respect land rights where applicable; We consider land tenure issues
License
Topics
Framework Mappings
Value Type
Category
Options
Yes
No
Not Applicable
Assessment
Steward Assessed
Report Type
Aggregate Data Report