Three cities have transformed the site of a former smelting plant, a neighborhood destroyed by tornado, and a near-empty historic downtown into vibrant, walkable places.
Now, these projects have been recognized with the 2015 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Riverfront Park (pictured above) is the culmination of decades-long work to transform five miles of formerly industrial Passaic riverfront in Newark, New Jersey.
Jackson Walk in Jackson, Tennessee, is an example of how communities can transform tragedy into opportunity.
And in Hamilton, Ohio, after years of disinvestment, strategic planning has helped bring new life to the historic downtown.