In May 2010, Nashville, Tennessee experienced the worst flooding in 80 years. During this disaster, the people of Nashville rose to the occasion to help safeguard life and then to clean-up and rebuild. They turned their attention to the future and viewed this disaster as an opportunity to set Davidson County on a path of recovery that will not only restore what was lost, but that will achieve lasting prosperity.

BNIM brought experience in sustainable disaster recovery and community engagement to the recovery team that included local and national experts. Over a period of four months, the team brought the community together in public workshops and defined a vision for sustainable recovery. The team identified 25 projects with the highest impact on Nashville's economy, society and environment. The team then analyzed seven of the hardest hit neighborhoods and created "complete community" plans for how the neighborhoods could use the projects to catalyze recovery and create a more vibrant, sustainable future.

Through many interactions with the public, goals for future development, including recovery efforts, were defined. The goals were used as a framework to ensure that every recommended project in the Plan contributes to a consistent and powerful vision of how the citizenry wish the future Nashville and Davidson County to take shape. These defined goals are: Environmental Stewardship, Resource Coordination, Neighborhood Quality, Civic Engagement, Individual Prosperity and Sustainable Development.

The Nashville / Davidson County Long-Term Recovery Plan document serves as a guide for the people of Davidson County, developed by the recovery team in close collaboration with city leaders and the community.