URB-C.01.B - Open Space Safety Support
Does the company provide systematic evidence of supporting the safety of open spaces?
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
Public open spaces play a pivotal role in the health of urban communities, offering spaces
for recreation, relaxation and social interaction. In doing so, they promote physical activity, reduce
stress and enhance mental wellbeing (UN-Habitat, 2018). These spaces also contribute to
environmental sustainability, acting as green lungs that improve air quality and mitigate the urban
heat island effect (Aram, García, Solgi, & Mansourniac, 2019). Through investments in well-designed,
accessible public spaces, real estate and utility companies can play a pivotal role in enriching the
quality of life for residents and contributing to the long-term appeal and sustainability of urban areas.
Research Guidance
Applicability: Real estate and utility companies
Systematic actions refer to comprehensive and transformative measures that aim for a holistic and sustainable impact, such as actions that cover the majority of the company's locations or business activities, address the root causes of problems, or bring about changes in business models.
The company must disclose at least two systematic actions to enhance the safety of open spaces, related to maintenance, installation of safety features (e.g. signage, bollards, seating, bike racks) or infrastructure upgrades.
Actions must have been implemented in the reporting year or within the last three years.
for recreation, relaxation and social interaction. In doing so, they promote physical activity, reduce
stress and enhance mental wellbeing (UN-Habitat, 2018). These spaces also contribute to
environmental sustainability, acting as green lungs that improve air quality and mitigate the urban
heat island effect (Aram, García, Solgi, & Mansourniac, 2019). Through investments in well-designed,
accessible public spaces, real estate and utility companies can play a pivotal role in enriching the
quality of life for residents and contributing to the long-term appeal and sustainability of urban areas.
Research Guidance
Applicability: Real estate and utility companies
Systematic actions refer to comprehensive and transformative measures that aim for a holistic and sustainable impact, such as actions that cover the majority of the company's locations or business activities, address the root causes of problems, or bring about changes in business models.
The company must disclose at least two systematic actions to enhance the safety of open spaces, related to maintenance, installation of safety features (e.g. signage, bollards, seating, bike racks) or infrastructure upgrades.
Actions must have been implemented in the reporting year or within the last three years.
License
Topics
Framework Mappings
Value Type
Category
Options
Yes
No
Not Applicable
Assessment
Steward Assessed
Report Type
Aggregate Data Report