Growing Home NWA Shares Updated Analysis on Growth Patterns and Infrastructure

A deep analysis of Northwest Arkansas communities showed that cities investing in strong downtowns and compact development patterns generate significantly greater long-term public value while reducing infrastructure costs over time.

That finding anchored a Growing Home NWA event convened by the Northwest Arkansas Council on Jan. 14 at the Fayetteville Public Library, where more than 300 local leaders, elected officials and community stakeholders gathered to examine how growth patterns shape long-term infrastructure needs, fiscal sustainability and quality of life across the region. Presentation materials from the event are available here. 

The event featured updated regional analysis developed in partnership with Urban3, a geoanalytics consulting firm that works with cities and regions nationwide to evaluate the long-term outcomes of development decisions. The findings are informing a regional road strategy now under development and will be incorporated into additional research to be shared later this spring.

Growing Home NWA is a regional effort launched by the Council to support intentional growth through data, public input and collaboration. Over the course of 2025, the initiative is convening a yearlong community conversation aimed at developing locally informed, regionally coordinated strategies that preserve community character, expand housing options, support economic opportunity and improve mobility.

Urban3’s analysis examined how different development patterns perform over time by comparing land use, infrastructure obligations and public value generation across Northwest Arkansas communities. Rather than focusing on individual projects, the analysis looked at broader patterns and outcomes to help local leaders better understand long-term tradeoffs.

A central measure used in the analysis was value per acre, which allows communities to compare how much public value different development patterns generate relative to the amount of land they consume. The analysis showed that compact, productive development patterns consistently generate more long-term public value per acre than lower-density patterns. Downtowns and established centers, while occupying a relatively small share of land, produced outsized value compared to more dispersed development.

The analysis also highlighted the relationship between land consumption and infrastructure responsibilities. Roads, utilities and other public assets are long-term obligations that require ongoing maintenance and eventual replacement. As communities expand outward, they take on more infrastructure per person, increasing long-term costs that accumulate over time.

Urban3’s regional snapshot estimates that Benton and Washington counties include 6,638 lane miles of roads, including 4,420 lane miles of locally maintained roads. The estimated annualized cost associated with maintaining that network is approximately $284 million across the region.

Another key takeaway was that density alone does not guarantee positive outcomes. Communities that experience higher population density without productive land use can absorb increased traffic and service demand without generating sufficient long-term revenue. The analysis showed that productive centers and mixed-use patterns play a critical role in translating growth into sustainable community benefit.

The presentation underscored the importance of a regional perspective. Development patterns in one community affect infrastructure systems, transportation networks and fiscal pressures across city and county lines. Comparing outcomes across communities helps identify which patterns are producing sustainable results and where adjustments may be needed.

The findings shared at the Jan. 14 event represent an early phase of analysis. The Northwest Arkansas Council is continuing to refine the data and incorporate it into a broader regional growth strategy. The full strategy will be presented at the Northwest Arkansas Council spring meeting in April.