022: Planning for People: Transforming Northwest Arkansas with Wes Craiglow

In episode 22, Wes Craiglow, Executive Director of Urban Land Institute Northwest Arkansas, shares his journey from city planner to thought leader in urban development. Wes offers a compelling vision for transforming Northwest Arkansas through people-focused planning, drawing on nearly two decades of experience. He explores the critical issues of housing attainability, the overproduction of suburban developments, and the region’s need to shift toward more sustainable, walkable urban centers. Throughout the conversation, Wes emphasizes the importance of leveraging Fayetteville’s unique strengths—like its walkability, transit systems, and downtown core—while balancing growth with the need for thoughtful, community-driven solutions. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about smart growth, urban design, and the future of Northwest Arkansas.

Show Links:

• ULI Northwest Arkansas
• ULI Northwest Arkansas Place Summit 2024
• Fayetteville Housing Crisis Task Force
• Maypoles in Bavaria
• The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs
• YIMBY Northwest Arkansas Facebook group
• Fayetteville Strong Facebook group
• Form-Based Codes Defined
• Gulley Park Summer Concert Series