NWA Council hires DPZ CoDesign to lead regional growth strategy efforts
by January 27, 2025 3:38 pm 193 views
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The Northwest Arkansas Council has hired DPZ CoDesign, a Miami-based urban planning and design firm, to lead the effort to develop a regional growth strategy, the council announced Monday (Jan. 27). The initiative is supported by Walton Family Foundation funding.
According to the release, DPZ will work with area governments, residents and other stakeholders to “craft strategies that reflect the region’s shared priorities while respecting the individuality of each city.”
Strategy priorities include housing affordability, improving infrastructure, advancing land-use planning, reducing sprawl and promoting long-term economic success. Special emphasis will be placed on “about a dozen of the region’s smaller cities, which may face unique challenges created by rapid growth, limited resources and smaller planning staff.”
The regional strategy is expected “to address challenges created by rapid growth while preserving the unique qualities that make Northwest Arkansas special,” the release shows. Northwest Arkansas is projected to exceed 1 million people by 2050. The area is adding about 36 people per day. The rapid growth has contributed to higher “housing prices, strained infrastructure, increased traffic congestion and reduced green spaces.”
DPZ is expected to work with community leaders, business stakeholders and residents to develop a strategy that aligns with existing comprehensive plans. The regional strategy is not intended to replace city plans but to complement them, the release shows.
“Rapid growth places a significant financial burden on our cities, driving up infrastructure costs and contributing to traffic congestion. At the same time, it reduces the green space NWA residents enjoy, highlighting the need for more efficient and thoughtful land use,” said Nelson Peacock, president and CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council. “This strategy is about empowering communities to determine their own future. With DPZ’s expertise in community-focused urban design, we will give local governments and stakeholders the tools to achieve sustainable growth solutions that align with their priorities.”
The initiative is expected to include “significant public engagement to shape the strategy,” the release noted.
“A key focus will be ensuring the process is fully representative of the region’s diverse communities, including Hispanic and Marshallese residents. DPZ’s eight-day roadshow this summer will serve as a cornerstone opportunity for residents to connect with the team, while additional meetings and events throughout the year will provide ongoing opportunities for feedback and collaboration.”
The Northwest Arkansas Council announced its intent to develop a regional growth strategy at its spring meeting in April 2024. The council’s research earlier in 2024 showed that 71% of residents indicated a shortage of affordable housing as the most significant issue, followed by traffic congestion (64%) and the loss of green space (40%).
The Northwest Arkansas Council is coordinating this work with the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission, which is simultaneously pursuing regional projects such as the long-range transportation plan. The release shows that sewer infrastructure is also essential to the region’s ability to manage growth.
“Northwest Arkansas is at a pivotal moment, and cities must be equipped with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about growth,” said Matthew Lambert, partner at DPZ CoDesign. “While we’ve worked with larger urban centers in NWA, we’re eager to engage smaller communities to craft a comprehensive regional strategy that recognizes the aspirations for communities of all sizes and ensures a vibrant and resilient future.”
DPZ previously worked with Bentonville and Rogers on projects such as future land-use maps and comprehensive plans.