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 featured below represent some of the best examples of sustainable growth and redevelopment in the state.
The interactive map below depicts the locations of the winning projects and plans. Scrolling across will allow you to view all the categories, clicking on a category will allow you to view all projects in that category, and clicking on a project will allow you to view basic information and a link to the project’s profile.
Scroll down below the map for links to each year’s winners.
2022 marked the 20th anniversary of New Jersey Future’s Smart Growth Awards. We were especially excited to commemorate the achievements of projects and plans that promote innovative, equitable approaches to planning and redevelopment. Check our our YouTube channel for videos of recent winners!
Interested in learning more about the Smart Growth Awards application process? Find more information about the Smart Growth Awards and nomination process. Nominations are now closed for the 2023 Smart Growth Awards. This year’s celebration of the 2023 winners will take place on October 3, 2023 from 5:00—8:00 p.m. at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. Stay tuned for additional information.
- 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.
