Pillar
Social Justice
Real estate influences who has access to opportunity, and who doesn't. Social Justice in SEAM addresses issues that historically impact how we build, zone, invest, and support impacted parties.
2 concepts · 18 activities
What is Social Justice
Elevating just decision-making through the built environment
Buildings don't exist in a vacuum.
Every project makes choices about who gets hired, who can afford to be there, how the surrounding community is affected, and how far that impact actually reaches. Social Justice within the SEAM Standard helps projects make those decisions with intention, using a structured framework that addresses procurement, the workplace, the community, and access to capital.
Concepts and Objectives
Ways to make just improvements
Social Justice in SEAM is achieved across 2 concepts, spanning 18 activities.
Concept SJ Social Equity + Justice
16 activities-
› SJ01 Equity + Inclusion in Procurement 5 activities
- SJa1.1 Achieve equity + inclusion in Tier 1 Supplier procurement Impact
- SJa1.2 Achieve equity + inclusion in Tenant leasing Impact
- SJa1.3 Implement inclusive procurement activities in Tier 1 Suppliers' procurement of Tier 2 Suppliers Impact
- SJa1.4 Achieve equity + inclusion in Tier 2 Supplier procurement Impact
- SJa1.5 Achieve equity + inclusion for Tenants through social leasing clauses Impact
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› SJ02 Equity + Inclusion in the Workplace 5 activities
- SJa2.1 Follow human-centered inclusive design practices Impact
- SJa2.2 Owner must provide fair and respectful treatment of employees Impact
- SJa2.3 Tier 1 Suppliers must provide fair and respectful treatment of workers Impact
- SJa2.4 Owner must ensure equal remuneration, regardless of gender, for work of equal value Impact
- SJa2.5 Owner must ensure equal remuneration for work of equal value regardless of diversity characteristics Impact
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› SJ03 Equity + Inclusion in the Community 4 activities
- SJa3.1 The Owner shall not acquire land or building assets through eminent domain, compulsory acquisition, resumption, expropriation, or other involuntary displacement Impact
- SJa3.2 Projects do not infringe on communities Impact
- SJa3.3 Promote local community employment Impact
- SJa3.4 Owner shall remediate damage from negative community impacts Impact
Concept IN Social Justice Innovation
2 activitiesWhy it matters
Our decisions today shape tomorrow's impact
The built environment has historically been shaped by choices that weren't just or fair to all people. The Social Justice pillar gives certified projects a structured framework to make different decisions through design, investment, and governance that expand access and opportunity for everyone.