Methodology

We have developed the first iteration of the Urban Benchmark methodology to measure and track how the world’s most influential companies operating in urban spaces are helping to make cities more inclusive, safe, resilient and environmentally sustainable, as mandated by the SDGs and NUA.

See full methodology

The scope of our assessment

This benchmark focuses on 300 companies that significantly impact urban sustainability across four key industries—real estate, construction and engineering, transport, and utilities—which are essential for meeting urban citizens’ basic needs and aligning with SDG11 and UN-HABITAT goals. Within these, several sub-industries are prioritised, such as urban transport, energy and water distribution, waste management, real estate, construction, architecture and consulting. Companies were classified using the ISIC Level 4 system to gain a detailed view of their core activities, with each selected company operating predominantly within urban-relevant segments to ensure a focus on urban development needs and challenges. 

The selection process aligned with World Benchmarking Alliance’s company keystone criteria, criteria to identify the most influential companies, focusing on those that dominate global production revenues or volumes, control key segments of production and service provision, connect ecosystems through subsidiaries and supply chains, influence global governance processes, and maintain a strong presence in developing countries. An additional criterion prioritised companies operating in megacities or several cities with over 10 million people to identify those that significantly affect large urban populations. Metrics like market capitalization and footprint indicators, such as ridership, population served, and housing units, were used to identify the largest and most impactful companies. Importantly, the extent, type, or language of a company’s reporting was not considered in the selection process; instead, the aim was to identify companies with significant impacts on people’s lives and urban environments to hold them accountable for these effects, fostering greater transparency regarding their urban impact. 

Finally, company selection also aimed for balanced regional representation, taking into account regional population, GDP, and megacity distribution. This approach led to more companies from East Asia & Pacific region due to its larger population and number of megacities, while North America’s high GDP and global influence warranted increased representation. Overall, this comprehensive methodology ensures that the benchmark identifies and evaluates influential entities crucial for promoting urban sustainability globally. 

Approach to scoring

All companies assessed for the Urban Transformation Benchmark are evaluated based on 24 indicators across four urban transformation measurement areas and 18 core social indicators (CSIs). Each urban transformation measurement area and the CSIs contribute 20% to the total score. The four urban transformation measurement areas each consist of six indicators, which include 4 to 6 elements each. All indicators within a measurement area are weighted equally, accounting for 16.67% of the measurement area score, while the elements within each indicator carry the same weight, contributing either 1/4, 1/5, or 1/6 of the indicator’s score, depending on the number of elements. 

Elements are assessed as either fully met or unmet, with no partial credit awarded; however, if a company partially meets an element’s criteria, relevant evidence is documented in the scorecard. Each element is evaluated independently, ensuring compliance with one element is not a prerequisite for another, thus preventing double penalties for the same issue. 

In addition, CSIs account for 20% of the total score and consist of 18 indicators in total. Of these, 16 CSIs contribute 1% each to the overall score, while CSIs 4 and 5 are double-weighted, each contributing 2% to the total score.  

It is important to note that a company’s score reflects evidence available in English and published before the cut-off date of December 31st, 2023. This score may not accurately represent the company’s level of transparency, particularly if the company reports in languages other than English, nor does it encompass its overall performance beyond what the company discloses regarding that performance. 

For further details on scoring and its applicability, please refer to the Public Scoring Guidelines. 

Full scoring guideline

Assessment process

Each benchmark assessment involves two research phases: an initial analysis of publicly available information and a review incorporating company feedback. We rely on publicly accessible, English-language data, including company websites, financial and non-financial reports, and policies.

After the initial research phase, companies receive a draft assessment for review and are invited to provide written feedback, sharing any relevant, publicly accessible evidence that may have been overlooked. This feedback is then evaluated, and adjustments to the draft assessment are made as needed, following the criteria outlined in the Scoring Guidelines. The graph below indicates the key milestones of the Urban Benchmark 2024.