The benefits of prioritising social impact go beyond compliance and corporate responsibility – they create real benefits for building owners and occupiers. Yet many struggle to define, measure and act on the ‘S’ in ESG. That’s why we’ve developed the Blossity Social Impact Scan – rooted in the relevant literature, with actionable outcomes to unlock the social value of place.
Intro
While green ‘Environmental’ initiatives have dominated the commercial real estate sector for years, the ‘Social’ S in ESG has often taken a back seat. This is due, in part, to a misconception that social factors don’t significantly impact a company’s bottom line, compared to reducing energy consumption or waste.
However, growing evidence shows that social aspects – including health and well-being, diversity and inclusion, and community engagement – are not only critical for sustainability but also directly enhance financial value. Real estate teams that integrate social impact into their strategies are seeing returns in occupant retention, brand reputation, and long-term investment performance.
The Scan
The Blossity Social Impact Scan helps real estate leaders within corporations, higher education institutions, and the public sector assess and benchmark their assets against critical social value metrics. It doesn’t offer an overall ‘score’ but rather captures your current base situation and identifies areas of opportunity for improvement. It’s applicable for single assets as well as campus-style space types, providing clear pathways to integrate social impact into your strategy.
“This Social Impact Scan was developed through exploration in our own work bridging corporate real estate with cities and communities, and a systemic scanning of relevant literature on the intersection of human behaviour and the built environment. It’s a tool designed to help people in the real world enhance the social impact of their places.”
Marije Blok, PhD. Social Scientist and Co-founder at Blossity.
Methodology
The Social Impact Scan is built around three key pillars and ten impact areas that define the social value of places. Together, they provide a structured approach to assessing impact and identifying opportunities for improvement.
Pillar 1: Activated Places
Aspiration: Creating places that enhance well-being, promote active lifestyles, and strengthen community connections through thoughtful design at every scale.
- Spaces for Wellbeing
- Active Lifestyles
- Sustainable Mobility
- Safety & Security
Pillar 2: Inclusive Communities
Aspiration: Ensuring equitable access to places and opportunities, fostering social connections, and supporting diverse communities.
- Accessibility for All
- Cultural Inclusion & Participation
- Social Multi-Use Spaces
Pillar 3: Stronger Cities
Aspiration: Driving economic opportunity, foster public-private innovation ecosystems and enhance ethical business practices.
- Talent Empowerment
- Public-Private Innovation Ecosystems
- Ethical & Inclusive Procurement
What to Expect
The Blossity Social Impact Scan is delivered in a concise report evaluating the ten key impact areas, providing a clear snapshot of your current performance. Rather than offering a score, the Scan identifies areas for immediate improvement, highlighting three quick wins and outlining actionable steps to elevate both social impact and value streams.
For Whom is This
Designed specifically for corporate real estate leaders within corporations, higher education institutions, and the public sector, this scan helps you leverage the full potential of your assets by integrating social impact into your strategy. Whether applied to single assets or campus-style environments, it enhances brand presence, strengthens talent retention, and drives long-term impact in the communities around you.
For more information on how the Blossity Social Impact Scan can elevate your assets, contact Jorick Beijer.