Smart Growth Awards

Since 2002, New Jersey Future has honored smart planning and redevelopment in New Jersey through the Smart Growth Awards. The projects and plans represent some of the best examples of sustainable growth and redevelopment in the state.

Check out the past winners by reading the profiles featured below and viewing the winner videos on our YouTube channel!

Interested in learning more about the Smart Growth Awards application process? Find more information about the Smart Growth Awards and nomination process.

• 2024 Smart Growth Award Winners

  This year's six winning projects include accessible spaces for outdoor recreation, mixed use retail development and affordable housing options, connections to transit, upgraded infrastructure, and the reinvigoration of downtowns. The 2024 event will also honor Ingrid Reed with a posthumous Leadership Award in recognition of a life of service to the betterment of New Jersey.

• 2023 Smart Growth Award Winners

  This year's seven incredible winning projects include vibrant spaces for community members, affordable housing options, preservation of open space, and the reinvigoration of downtowns. The 2023 event also celebrated two Cary Edwards Leadership Award winners and the inaugural Redevelopment Trailblazer Award honoree.

• 2022 Smart Growth Award Winners

  This year’s six winners include innovative housing options, mixed-use space, landmark redevelopment plans, and two parks revitalized with green infrastructure. The 2022 event also celebrated two winners of the Cary Edwards Leadership Award, Yvette Jordan and Christopher Daggett.

• 2020 Smart Growth Award Winners

  This year’s winners include two repurposed historic buildings, two mixed-use art spaces, a citywide lead service line removal program, and a historic street redesign. Peter Reinhart is the recipient of the Cary Edwards Leadership Award.

• 2019 Smart Growth Award Winners

  The seven winners include three repurposed historic buildings that are sparking economic development in different ways; an early childhood learning center that is helping with access to economic opportunity; a cycling and walking trail built and maintained by a broad coalition of volunteers; an urban community college campus bringing new life to its surroundings; and a blueprint for sustainable continued growth in the state's densest municipality. Wendy Kelman Neu is the recipient of the Cary Edwards Leadership Award.

• 2018 Smart Growth Award Winners

  The seven winners include an innovative indoor urban agriculture project, a plan to improve access and mobility around a national historical park, three innovative repurposing initiatives for former industrial buildings, a borough-wide redevelopment effort, and a new development using cutting-edge green stormwater and resiliency techniques. James J. Florio is the recipient of the Cary Edwards Leadership Award.

• 2017 Smart Growth Award Winners

  A reimagination of a former shipbuilding complex, two transit-oriented development projects, revitalization of a historic church space, a silk factory, and an outdated public housing project, and a plan to get all of a city's children to school safely are the winners of New Jersey Future’s 2017 Smart Growth Awards. James Hughes Ph.D. is the recipient of the Cary Edwards Leadership Award.

• 2016 Smart Growth Award Winners

  A redevelopment of a landmark downtown building; several projects designed to spur homeownership in historically disinvested areas; an urban farm; and a bold resiliency plan are the winners of New Jersey Future’s 2016 Smart Growth Awards. Al Koeppe is the recipient of the Cary Edwards Leadership Award.

• 2015 Smart Growth Award Winners

  A redevelopment of a historic urban park; the expansion of an anchor institution in our capital city; a “complete” redesign of a major urban street; a landmark multi-use building that serves as a community anchor; two plans to revitalize neighborhoods near transit; and a pioneering collaborative effort to improve urban neighborhoods prone to stormwater flooding are the winners of New Jersey Future’s 2015 Smart Growth Awards. Anne S. Babineau Esq. wins the Cary Edwards Leadership Award.

• 2014 Smart Growth Award Winners

  Three types of housing developments; two plans to revitalize fading downtowns; an industrial riverfront transformed into an urban asset; a project that will serve as an anchor of hope to its community; and a regional plan for smart economic growth are all winners of New Jersey Future’s 2014 Smart Growth Awards. Joe Maraziti Jr. Esq., receives the Cary Edwards Leadership Award.

• 2013 Smart Growth Award Winners

  Four innovative projects, two visionary plans and a statewide policy are winners of New Jersey Future’s 2013 Smart Growth Awards. Diane Sterner receives the Cary Edwards Leadership Award.

• 2012 Smart Growth Award Winners

  Two plans, an innovative zoning code, a feasibility study and three projects are winners of New Jersey Future’s 2012 Smart Growth Awards. Joseph M. Taylor receives the Cary Edwards Leadership Award.

• 2011 Smart Growth Award Winners

  Five projects and two plans win 2011 Smart Growth Awards. James Gilbert wins the Cary Edwards Leadership Award.

• 2010 Smart Growth Award Winners

  Five projects and an innovative land-preservation program win 2010 Smart Growth Awards. W. Cary Edwards wins the inaugural Individual Leadership Award.

• 2009 Smart Growth Award Winners

  Four projects and three plans win 2009 Smart Growth Awards.

• 2008 Smart Growth Award Winners

  Six projects and one plan win 2008 Smart Growth Awards.

• 2007 Smart Growth Award Winners

  Four projects and four plans win 2007 Smart Growth Awards.

• 2006 Smart Growth Award Winners

  Two projects and four plans win 2006 Smart Growth Awards.

• 2005 Smart Growth Award Winners

  One project and five plans win 2005 Smart Growth Awards. New Jersey Department of Transportation wins Statewide Transportation Policy award.

• 2004 Smart Growth Award Winners

  Three projects and three plans win 2004 Smart Growth Awards.

• 2003 Smart Growth Award Winners

  Two projects and three plans win 2003 Smart Growth Awards.

• 2002 Smart Growth Award Winners

  Six projects win at the first very Smart Growth Awards in 2002.