National Award for Smart Growth Achievement
The National Award for Smart Growth Achievement recognizes communities that use the principles of smart growth to create better places. This annual competition is open to public- and private-sector entities.
The application period for the 2009 awards is now closed. Winners will be announced in December 2009.
Applications for the 2010 awards will be available on this web site in early 2010. Please check back then, or email your name and a note saying you would like to be notified when the application period opens, to smartgrowth@epa.gov.
Background
Through the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement, EPA seeks to recognize and support public entities (from cities to state governments and the many types of public entities in-between) that promote and achieve smart growth, while at the same time bringing about direct and indirect environmental benefits.
Smart growth development practices support national environmental goals by preserving open spaces and parkland and protecting critical habitat; improving transportation choices, including walking, bicycling, and transit, which reduces emissions from automobiles; promoting brownfield redevelopment; and reducing impervious surfaces, which improves water quality.
To learn more about smart growth and the environment, see our Environmental Benefits of Smart Growth page.
If you have questions concerning the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement program, contact Carlton Eley (eley.carlton@epa.gov) or 202-566-2841.
Read About Previous Winners
On November 19, 2008, EPA announced the winners of the 2008 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC. This award recognizes outstanding achievement in smart growth by tribal, state, local, or regional governments in four categories: Overall Excellence, Policies and Regulations, Built Projects, and Equitable Development. | |
Overall Excellence in Smart Growth: | Downtown Silver Spring Redevelopment Project, Silver Spring Regional Center, Silver Spring, Maryland |
Policies and Regulations: | Livable Centers Initiative, Atlanta Regional Commission, Metropolitan Atlanta Region, Georgia |
Built Projects: | Egleston Crossing, Urban Edge Housing Corporation, Roxbury, Massachusetts |
Equitable Development: | Mission Creek Senior Community, Mercy Housing California and San Francisco Housing Authority, San Francisco, California |