About the Smart Growth Awards

Since 2002, New Jersey Future has honored smart planning and development in New Jersey through this annual event. The awards help promote our mission to secure economic opportunity, community vitality and quality of life for all New Jerseyans.

Do you know of an innovative project, plan, or initiative that deserves to be honored for bringing smart growth ideals to light? Consider nominating it for a future Smart Growth Award! Check out our previous award winners for an idea of the size and range of winning projects.

As with previous years, we will be giving special consideration to projects that include measures to increase resiliency to severe weather and climate change, and to projects that include effective use of green stormwater infrastructure.

Call for nominations for the 2020 Smart Growth Awards is now closed.

Please read the submission instructions carefully. They explain the submission process and include updated entry questions.

Entries will be judged by an independent panel of experts in various aspects of growth and development, against the following considerations:

• Are they near existing development and infrastructure?
• Do they create or enhance connections to existing developments or plans?
• Do they create or enhance a vibrant mix of uses (residential, retail, office)?
• Do they protect or enhance open space, farmland, parks, and critical environmental areas?
• Do they increase the range of housing options available (size, type, affordability)?
• Do they create or enhance transportation choices?
• Do their designs foster walkability and activities at the street level that encourage personal interaction?
• Do they improve resiliency to natural hazards?
• Do they employ green infrastructure techniques to manage stormwater?
• Do they respect community character, design, and historic features?
• Do they utilize green or regenerative design techniques and materials?

Questions? contact Michele Glassburg  (mglassburgnjfutureorg)  , (609) 393-0008, ext. 107.