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Urbanism concerns how inhabitants of urban areas interact with the built environment. The built environment, however, does not always prove to be a stable entity, particularly in the historical context. Ask Little Rock architect Tommy Jameson. He knows.
Historic preservation is an essential part of community and economic development. Arkansas’s historic buildings tell stories about commerce, government, transportation, education, agriculture, recreation, social norms and more. Their preservation and reuse create distinctive places where people want to live, and it’s good for the environment, conserving materials and embodied energy.
Fayetteville needs about 1,000 new units of housing annually to keep pace with projected population growth. Beginning in 2019, however, Fayetteville’s population growth began to increase at a rate beyond housing production. From 2019-2022 Fayetteville fell about 1,480 housing units short of demand, and from 2021-2022 the population growth was 78% above projected.
If walkability and connectivity are the keys that can unlock the potential of a downtown corridor, an urban neighborhood or even an entire region, one would be hard-pressed to find a key ring that jingles louder than the Central Arkansas Regional Greenways Master Plan. This plan, which will connect four counties and 19 communities through an expansive system of trails, will ultimately provide an active transportation greenway network for the heart of Arkansas and bring a wealth of potential to the area.
Born out of the evolution of the real estate and hospitality industry, “short-term rentals” refer to lodging accommodations rented out for (typically) less than 30 days. While they aren’t new, companies such as Airbnb and VRBO popularized the rise of the sharing economy, which resulted in the now commonplace practice of renting out spare rooms or entire properties to travelers and temporary visitors.
Downtown Paragould has been a growing destination for locals and tourists alike for shopping, dining, local theater, live music and events for years. This thriving historic district will soon have the capability to host even more gatherings for family and friends with the highly anticipated restoration of Paragould’s 100-year-old power plant. Originally the town’s first pump house and generator, the reimagined power plant will once again spark new life into Paragould as a multiuse event facility known as The Station Powered by First National Bank.
The influence of Batesville Mayor Rick Elumbaugh has stretched beyond his community of 11,000. Elumbaugh has caught the attention of Mountain Bike Magazine, Smart Growth America and former first lady Michelle Obama. More often, he’s caught the attention of other communities who are eager to download his playbook and unlock the potential of their communities. He’s generous with his time. He’s been to Mountain Home, Searcy, Pocahontas and Harrison, and the list goes on.
Many people care deeply about Little Rock and are eager to see improvements in various areas, but enhancing collaboration is essential for lasting impact. Our Little Rock is one movement on the scene that offers a path for grassroots urbanism to take hold.
Urban Agricultural Plan for the Fayetteville Public Library.
A concept for surface parking that won’t budge.
For many, vibrancy and Downtown Cabot are not two things ever considered linked. However, current city efforts are changing this reality and narrative, and improving the long-challenged downtown in dramatic ways.
The proposed Rogers Comprehensive Plan is intended to serve as the city’s official policy document for community development. The plan is designed to be evergreen: It won’t expire; instead, it will evolve with the city. Through this plan, we’re establishing a framework for long-range planning that will preserve our existing community assets, prepare the city for growth, support a robust economy and foster an inclusive social environment.
Bringing neighborhoods to life requires the art of placemaking, a nuanced blend of creativity and collaboration. One of the biggest elements of getting this delicate balance just right includes working with an area’s existing assets, and no one knows this better than Pine Bluff native, Brandon Ruhl.