2004 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement Booklet

From 2002 to 2015, EPA presented the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement to recognize and support communities that used 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.

Awards were given in the following categories in 2004:

Overall Excellence in Smart Growth: Town of Davidson, Town of Davidson Planning Department in Davidson, North Carolina
Built Projects: Southside Neighborhood, City of Greensboro Department of Housing and Community Development in Greensboro, North Carolina
Policies and Regulations: Accessory Dwelling Unit Program, City of Santa Cruz' Department of Housing and Community Development in Santa Cruz, California
Community Outreach and Education: Sacramento Region Blueprint: Transportation/Land Use Study, Sacramento Area Council of Governments in Sacramento, California
Small Communities: San Juan Pueblo Master Plan, San Juan Pueblo Office of the Governor in San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico

Overall Excellence in Smart Growth: Town of Davidson, Town of Davidson Planning Department in Davidson, North Carolina

This Smart Growth Award recognized the Town of Davidson and its Planning Department's efforts.

Davidson is a small community that set the standard for creating healthy and vibrant neighborhoods in a historic setting. Its Planning Ordinance aims to maintain its identity as a small town.

The town revitalized its existing buildings, and its new neighborhoods incorporated a variety of lot sizes and housing types, including affordable housing, and neighborhood parks within a five-minute walk.

For an update on this project, see the 2008 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement booklet.

Built Projects: Southside Neighborhood, City of Greensboro Department of Housing and Community Development in Greensboro, North Carolina

This Smart Growth Award recognized the redevelopment of the Southside neighborhood in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Located just one-and-a-half blocks from Greensboro's historic main street, this initiative, led by the Department of Housing and Community Development, transformed a blighted area into a thriving, attractive district. New live/work units were developed, and the community capitalized on a rich stock of historic buildings and public spaces to restore this downtown neighborhood.

For an update on this project, see the 2009 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement booklet.

Policies and Regulations: Accessory Dwelling Unit Program, City of Santa Cruz' Department of Housing and Community Development in Santa Cruz, California

This Smart Growth Award recognized the City of Santa Cruz's Department of Housing and Community Development's Accessory Dwelling Unit Program, which helped increasing and diversify housing choices by making accessory units easier to build. This program gave homeowners an additional source of income and creates more affordable housing.

Storage spaces and garages (pictured right) have become homes, thanks to the ADU program.

For an update on this project, see the 2005 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement booklet.

Community Outreach and Education: Sacramento Region Blueprint: Transportation/Land Use Study, Sacramento Area Council of Governments in Sacramento, California

Photo courtesy of Leon Fredette/Fredette Photography.

This Smart Growth Award recognized the Sacramento Region Blueprint: Transportation/Land Use Study.

Facilitated by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, the Blueprint Project brought together more than 5,000 citizens to help create and refine regional planning scenarios. Small group exercises at regional workshops (pictured right) gave participants a more active role in the process.

The extensive public outreach was successful due in part to the collaboration of 30 agencies and private businesses.

For an update on this project, see the 2008 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement booklet.

Small Communities: San Juan Pueblo Master Plan, San Juan Pueblo Office of the Governor in San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico

traditional housing with mountains in the background — Photo courtesy of award winner.

This Smart Growth Award recognized the San Juan Pueblo Master Plan. The San Juan Pueblo Office of the Governor worked with the community to honor its heritage and provide housing for its people. The tribe implemented a new urbanist Master Land Use Plan—the first of its kind for a Native American community.

In 2003, a 40-unit, mixed-income, rental housing project was completed, exhibiting a culturally appropriate, affordable design. The design for Tsigo Bugeh Village (pictured right) is inspired by traditional pueblos. The buildings are clustered around two plazas, which include cultural amenities such as "hornos," or traditional ovens.