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From intent to impact: using data to shape meaningful social value

From intent to impact: using data to shape meaningful social value

As social value takes centre stage in the built environment, real estate professionals are under growing pressure to demonstrate lasting impact - not just good intentions. Having a clearer understanding of local priorities can transform strategy, build trust, and embed social value at the heart of development.

Written by:
Written by:

3 mins read

Social value is gaining traction across the built environment — and with the potential to generate an estimated in additional benefits, more organisations are embedding it into their broader environmental strategies.

Real estate holds the power to transform communities. As expectations rise, developers, investors, and asset managers are under increasing pressure to demonstrate how their projects deliver tangible, positive outcomes for local people. Yet identifying what truly matters — and delivering meaningful, measurable impact — remains a complex challenge.

Why starting with understanding matters

In many ESG strategies, the ā€œEā€ and the ā€œGā€ are well defined and embedded into decision-making processes, but the ā€œSā€ is often less clear. Some organisations begin by trying to measure social impact without understanding what the community really needs, or how interventions could be most effective. 

Although the real estate sector has made meaningful progress, establishing a consistent starting point remains a challenge. When it comes to measurement, an overemphasis on inputs can distract from what truly matters: meaningful, measurable outcomes for communities. Instead of relying on generic benchmarks or assumptions, using real local insight supports the design of targeted, context-aware strategies and action. A Local Needs Analysis is a powerful tool for designing targeted, high-impact social value initiatives. By analysing economic, social, and environmental factors, it identifies critical needs, addresses inequalities, and highlights service gaps. 

Our Social Value Snapshot Tool combines a mix of geospatial data and local analysis, to highlight the issues that matter most in a specific location - such as income inequality, youth unemployment, or access to green space - providing context and enabling more informed decision-making. This data-driven approach ensures resources are deployed effectively, aligning strategic goals with community priorities, strengthening stakeholder relationships, and delivering lasting, measurable impact. Helping to ensure that transformation is intentional, measurable, and aligned with local priorities - driving economic, social, and environmental value through data-led strategies. 

This transparency encourages a shift in mindset towards longer-term thinking, rather than one-off interventions; social value can be built into ongoing management strategies, ensuring that the benefits of development are felt well beyond the immediate project timeline.

In practice: Westminster City Council 

In partnership with Westminster City Council (WCC), our community insights and data will help to shape a social value delivery plan for a major residential development scheme.

By mapping real-time socio-economic indicators and deprivation data, we will collaborate with WCC to pinpoint areas most in need of support. This may include identifying schools, neighbourhoods, and populations facing barriers to employment, health, and education.

Instead of presenting a generic package of social value commitments, the resulting plan will be tailored to Westminster’s local priorities - aligned with its ā€œFairer Communitiesā€ and ā€œFairer Economyā€ strategies. This approach means working with the community in a more meaningful and responsive way, ensuring that our contributions create tangible, long-term benefits for Westminster’s residents.

Looking forward

As social value becomes an increasingly prominent part of planning policy, investment criteria, and ESG reporting, there is a growing need for clearer frameworks and better data. Social value tools need to be paired with meaningful engagement, practical action, and a willingness to commit beyond the minimum.

The Social Needs Snapshot Tool equips clients to ask the right questions and understand the specific context in which they operate, offering a clear starting point for action. Whether informing a planning application, guiding community partnerships, or shaping long-term asset strategies, the goal remains the same: turning intent into meaningful impact.

To find out more, or to speak to our ESG Consulting teamget in touch.

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