Smart Growth

National Award for Smart Growth Achievement

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Smart Growth Achievement

Background

From 2002 to 2015, EPA presented the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement to recognize and support communities that use innovative policies and strategies to strengthen their economies, provide housing and transportation choices, develop in ways that bring benefits to a wide range of residents, and protect the environment. EPA will no longer present the award.

Smart growth development practices:

  • Support national environmental goals by preserving open spaces and parkland and protecting critical habitat.
  • Improve transportation choices, including walking, bicycling, and transit, which reduces emissions from automobiles.
  • Promote brownfield redevelopment.
  • Reduce impervious surfaces, which improves water quality.

To learn more about smart growth and the environment, see our About Smart Growth page. 

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Learn About the Winners

The 64 projects in 28 states that won awards and honorable mentions can offer useful lessons and models for other communities. Winning projects range from statewide initiatives to individual buildings, in communities large and small across the country. Click on the winning project's name or a year to see the booklet with descriptions of the winners for that year. Videos are included for the award winners from 2009 to 2015.

Name Location State Year Category

Jackson Walk

Jackson

TN

2015

Corridor or Neighborhood Revitalization

City of Hamilton and Historic Developers, LLC, Public-Private Partnership

Hamilton

OH

2015

Built Projects

Riverfront Park

Newark

NJ

2015

Plazas, Parks, and Public Places

Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail and Historic Fourth Ward Park

Atlanta

GA

2013

Overall Excellence

Historic Millwork District and Washington Neighborhood

Dubuque

IA

2013

Corridor or Neighborhood Revitalization

GO TO 2040

Chicago region

IL

2013

Policies, Programs, and Plans

Lower Eastside Action Plan

Detroit

MI

2013

Policies, Programs, and Plans – Honorable Mention

La Valentina

Sacramento

CA

2013

Built Projects

Via Verde

New York City

NY

2013

Built Projects - Honorable Mention

Charles City Riverfront Park

Charles City

IA

2013

Plazas, Parks, and Public Places

The BLVD Transformation

Lancaster

CA

2012

Overall Excellence

Cooperative Building

Brattleboro

VT

2012

Main Street or Corridor Revitalization

Larkin District

Buffalo

NY

2012

Main Street or Corridor Revitalization - Honorable Mention

Destination Portsmouth

Portsmouth

VA

2012

Programs and Policies

Bay Area Transit-Oriented Affordable Housing Fund

San Francisco Bay Area

CA

2012

Programs and Policies - Honorable Mention

Mariposa District

Denver

CO

2012

Equitable Development

Northwest Gardens

Fort Lauderdale

FL

2012

Equitable Development - Honorable Mention

Old North St. Louis Revitalization Initiative

St. Louis

MO

2011

Overall Excellence

Silver Gardens Apartments

Albuquerque

NM

2011

Smart Growth and Green Building

Plan El Paso 2010

El Paso

TX

2011

Programs, Policies, and Regulations

Maroney Commons

Howard

SD

2011

Rural Smart Growth

Uptown Normal Roundabout

Normal

IL

2011

Civic Places

Smart.Growth@NYC

New York City

NY

2010

Overall Excellence

Miller's Court

Baltimore

MD

2010

Smart Growth and Green Building

Making the Greatest Place

Portland

OR

2010

Programs, Policies, and Regulations

Gateway 1 Corridor Action Plan

ME

2010

Rural Smart Growth

Mint Plaza

San Francisco

CA

2010

Civic Places

Envision Lancaster County

Lancaster County

PA

2009

Overall Excellence

Urban Street Design Guidelines

Charlotte

NC

2009

Policies and Regulations

Parkside of Old Town

Chicago

IL

2009

Built Projects

Tempe Transportation Center

Tempe

AZ

2009

Smart Growth and Green Building

Downtown Silver Spring Redevelopment Project

Silver Spring

MD

2008

Overall Excellence

Livable Centers Initiative

Atlanta

GA

2008

Policies and Regulations

Egleston Crossing

Roxbury

MA

2008

Built Projects

Mission Creek Senior Community

San Francisco

CA

2008

Equitable Development

New Columbia

Portland

OR

2007

Overall Excellence

High Point Redevelopment

Seattle

WA

2007

Built Projects

Vermont Housing and Conservation Board

VT

2007

Policies and Regulations

Balanced Growth Through Downtown Revitalization

Hyannis

MA

2007

Waterfront and Coastal Communities

Abyssinian Neighborhood Project

New York City

NY

2007

Equitable Development

Massachusetts Office of Commonwealth Development

MA

2006

Overall Excellence

Old Town Wichita

Wichita

KS

2006

Built Projects

Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative

PA

2006

Policies and Regulations

Winooski Downtown Redevelopment Project

Winooski

VT

2006

Small Communities

Bethel Center

Chicago

IL

2006

Equitable Development

Highlands' Garden Village

Denver

CO

2005

Overall Excellence

Belmar

Lakewood

CO

2005

Built Projects

Central District Specific Plan

Pasadena

CA

2005

Policies and Regulations

Gilbert & Bennett Wire Mill Redevelopment

Redding

CT

2005

Small Communities

Baldwin Park

Orlando

FL

2005

Military Base Redevelopment

Town of Davidson

Davidson

NC

2004

Overall Excellence

Southside Neighborhood

Greensboro

NC

2004

Built Projects

Accessory Dwelling Unit Program

Santa Cruz

CA

2004

Policies and Regulations

Sacramento Region Blueprint

Sacramento

CA

2004

Community Outreach and Education

San Juan Pueblo Master Plan

San Juan Pueblo

NM

2004

Small Communities

Livable Communities Program

Minneapolis-St. Paul

MN

2003

Overall Excellence

The Village at NTC

San Diego

CA

2003

Built Projects

Housing Enhancement Loan Program

Cuyahoga County

OH

2003

Policies and Regulations

Georgia Quality Growth Program

GA

2003

Community Outreach and Education

Moore Square Museums Magnet Middle School

Raleigh

NC

2003

Public Schools

Rosslyn-Ballston Metro Corridor

Arlington County

VA

2002

Overall Excellence

Wellington Neighborhood

Breckenridge

CO

2002

Built Projects

Transit Oriented Development Incentive Program

San Mateo County

CA

2002

Policies and Regulations

Community Preservation Initiative

MA

2002

Community Outreach and Education

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