Smart Growth Awards Archive

Previous Smart Growth Awards Recipients

Honoring those shaping a stronger Rhode Island through innovative community revitalization and preservation initiatives and partnerships.

Each year, committed, creative and resourceful Rhode Islanders show us the way to tap our state’s full potential through projects, plans, and policies that play to Rhode Island’s strengths and generate enduring economic benefits — both statewide and in specific neighborhoods.

2022 Smart Growth Awards

The 2022 Smart Growth Awards were presented at the Power of Place Summit which was designed to provide inspiration and education so you can put smart growth principles into action. The focus of the 2022 Summit was on tackling our acute housing crisis, climate change, social, racial and environmental justice, post-COVID recovery, and community revitalization without displacement. Our daylong, statewide conference focused on the assets and strengths that contribute to our state’s exceptional quality of place.

Internationally recognized smart growth strategist and tactical urbanism expert Mike Lydon was the keynote speaker at the Power of Place Summit in 2022. See Mike’s presentation and subsequent panel discussion about his extensive research on the new opportunities and imperatives for smarter growth catalyzed by the pandemic. You can access the power point presentation here.

Representative June S. Speakman

Hammetts Wharf Redevelopment Project, Newport

Zoning Amendments for Equitable Development, Newport North End, Newport

2021 Smart Growth Awards

You don’t need us to tell you what a difficult year 2021 was.

Still, the resilient spirit across this dynamic state was alive and well. So this year, we were especially proud to recognize and honor the passionate, creative and resourceful people who continue leading the charge to shape a stronger, more vibrant and equitable Rhode Island for this and future generations.

U.S. Senator Tom Carper, Chairman of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, delivered the keynote address “Bringing America’s Transportation and Infrastructure into the 21st Century” and shared his vision for the future of transportation and how it might be achieved. Senator Carper’s committee leadership position and close association with President Biden make him one of the nation’s most influential voices on the wide range of pending federal Transportation and Infrastructure proposals.

Following Senator Carper’s perspective on President Biden’s transportation and infrastructure proposal, a distinguished panel featuring Rhode Island’s U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Xaykham Khamsyvoravong, Chair of Governor McKee’s transition team sub-group on transportation and infrastructure, and Beth Osborne, Director of Transportation for America discussed how the nation and Rhode Island can leverage this once-in-a-generation opportunity to build back better. The panel was moderated by NBC10’s Alison Bologna.

ONE Neighborhood Builders

Rupert Friday

Echo Valley Apartments

Georgiaville Village Apartments

Transit Master Plan + Bike Mobility Plan

Barry Schiller

2020 Smart Growth Awards

Great Streets Initiative & Urban Trail Network Master Plan

Bill Hatfield

122 North Main Street, Woonsocket

2019 Smart Growth Awards

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