Greening America's Communities

• Background
• Past Partner Communities

Background

Greening America's Communities (formerly known as Greening America's Capitals) is an EPA program to help cities and towns develop an implementable vision of environmentally friendly neighborhoods that incorporate innovative green infrastructure and other sustainable design strategies. EPA provides design assistance to help support sustainable communities that protect the environment, economy, and public health and to inspire local and state leaders to expand this work elsewhere.

EPA funds a team of designers to visit each community to produce schematic designs and exciting illustrations intended to catalyze or complement a larger planning process for the pilot neighborhood. Additionally, these pilots are often the testing ground for citywide actions, such as changes to local codes and ordinances to better support environmentally sustainable growth and green infrastructure. The design team and EPA, along with partners from other federal agencies, also help city staff develop specific implementation strategies.

Past Partner Communities

EPA has helped 37 communities with sustainable design strategies through either the former Greening America’s Capitals Program or the newer Greening America’s Communities Program:

Learn more about these projects, including how to find the final reports for many of them. The reports offer detailed ideas for communities that are looking for environmentally friendly ways to revitalize neighborhoods, spur economic development, offer transportation options, improve public health, and protect natural resources.