URB-C.01.D - Public Space Provision and Maintenance Progress
Does the company report progress on the amount of public space it provides and/or maintains?
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
The company must disclose quantitative evidence that the amount of publicly accessible open space the company provides or maintains has increased compared to previous reporting year(s).
Metrics should include measurable values such as percentage increases or increases in square meters or square footage.
Note: The company must demonstrate year-on-year improvement over the past three years using quantitative data. General statements without measurable evidence are not accepted. We do not determine the rate of improvement, but progress must remain continuous over time rather than fluctuating annually. Increasing one year then decreasing the next is not accepted as consistent progress, unless the company specifies reasoning for the anomaly.
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
The company must disclose quantitative evidence that the amount of publicly accessible open space the company provides or maintains has increased compared to previous reporting year(s).
Metrics should include measurable values such as percentage increases or increases in square meters or square footage.
Note: The company must demonstrate year-on-year improvement over the past three years using quantitative data. General statements without measurable evidence are not accepted. We do not determine the rate of improvement, but progress must remain continuous over time rather than fluctuating annually. Increasing one year then decreasing the next is not accepted as consistent progress, unless the company specifies reasoning for the anomaly.
License
Topics
Framework Mappings
Value Type
Category
Options
Yes
No
Not Applicable
Assessment
Steward Assessed
Report Type
Aggregate Data Report