URB-B.06.B - Tenure Rights Holder Identification Process
Does the company describe how it identifies legitimate tenure rights holders when acquiring, leasing or making other arrangements to use properties, with particular attention to vulnerable tenure rights holders?
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 discloses a general description of its process for identifying rights holders during land transactions.
This element is considered met if the company provides any of the following disclosure:
- Reliable mechanisms for identifying tenure rights holders, such as land registries, title deeds, purchase agreements, lease agreements or property records besides conducting comprehensive social impact studies or community meetings to gather the necessary information.
- Mapping out land boundaries and ownership using cadastral maps or other tools.
- Using third parties to verify the findings and tenure claims.
- Documenting findings and sharing it to all stakeholders particularly the vulnerable tenure right holders.
- Detailed examples of past land transactiosn where the company identified legitimate tenure rights holders.
Furthermore, the company specifies how it identifies vulnerable tenure rights holders — those disproportionately affected by land tenure issues due to factors such as type of tenure, income level, cultural and social identity, environmental, or geographical context. These may include individuals residing in informal settlements or tenants in informal housing, who often lack the resources or support to assert their rights effectively. The company demonstrates how it gives particular attention to these stakeholders, ensuring their concerns are addressed in its land tenure processes.
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 discloses a general description of its process for identifying rights holders during land transactions.
This element is considered met if the company provides any of the following disclosure:
- Reliable mechanisms for identifying tenure rights holders, such as land registries, title deeds, purchase agreements, lease agreements or property records besides conducting comprehensive social impact studies or community meetings to gather the necessary information.
- Mapping out land boundaries and ownership using cadastral maps or other tools.
- Using third parties to verify the findings and tenure claims.
- Documenting findings and sharing it to all stakeholders particularly the vulnerable tenure right holders.
- Detailed examples of past land transactiosn where the company identified legitimate tenure rights holders.
Furthermore, the company specifies how it identifies vulnerable tenure rights holders — those disproportionately affected by land tenure issues due to factors such as type of tenure, income level, cultural and social identity, environmental, or geographical context. These may include individuals residing in informal settlements or tenants in informal housing, who often lack the resources or support to assert their rights effectively. The company demonstrates how it gives particular attention to these stakeholders, ensuring their concerns are addressed in its land tenure processes.
License
Topics
Framework Mappings
Value Type
Category
Options
Yes
No
Not Applicable
Assessment
Steward Assessed
Report Type
Aggregate Data Report