The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency invites entries, due June 1, for its third annual National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. This competition is open to local or state governments and other public-sector entities that have incorporated smart growth principles to create places that respect community culture and the environment, foster economic development, and promote a better quality of life for current and future generations.

Smart growth development serves the economy, community, and environment. Its approaches offer clear environmental benefits, including improved air and water quality, greater preservation of critical habitat and open space, and more cleanup and reuse of brownfield sites.

The competition will evaluate applications from urban, suburban, and rural areas for smart growth activities undertaken within the last five years in five categories:

• Built Projects
• Policies and Regulations
• Community Outreach and Education
• Small Communities
• Overall Excellence in Smart Growth.

As many as five winners will receive honors at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., in November 2004.

Copyright 2004 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved. Home Page