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Future Forward: Meet a Lowell Planner

Meet Karen Davis, the Lowell Planning and Community Development Director

Karen Davis, PCED, serves as the Planning and Community Development Director for Lowell, bringing over a decade of experience in shaping vibrant communities. Born and raised in Dumas, in the delta of southeast Arkansas, Karen moved to Northwest Arkansas in 1996, witnessing firsthand the region’s remarkable transformation. One of her first homes was just off the Bentonville square, now the site of the 21C Museum Hotel.

She studied at the University of Arkansas at Monticello and later at the Community Development Institute at the University of Central Arkansas, building a foundation in both planning and community development. Karen has been engaged in different aspects of city planning for twelve years. "My journey into city planning began under the mentorship of seasoned professionals in a local municipality."

What is one project you are proud of?

What is one project you are proud of?

"One project that stands out in my career is the completion of the Unified Development Code in 2020. This project streamlined our land development processes, eliminating unnecessary red tape and encouraging a more collaborative relationship between property owners and developers—particularly through support for mixed-use development."

What Karen wants us to know about city planning

"Above all, I want everyone to understand that city planning is about considering every property and every person involved. A planner’s duty is to balance the needs of development and property ownership with what is truly in the best interest of the broader community. At its core, planning is—and must always remain—in service to the public good."

What is one thing you would like to see happen in NWA in the next 20 years?

What is one thing you would like to see happen in NWA in the next 20 years?

"Looking to the future, one of my hopes for Northwest Arkansas is that the metro region unites through a shared vision and collaborative development plans. As we approach a population of one million, such unity will be essential for strategic and cohesive growth."

Get to Know Karen Davis

  • Where are you from?

    Born and raised in Dumas, nestled in the delta of southeast Arkansas, I later moved to Northwest Arkansas in 1996. Since then, I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable transformation and growth of the region. In fact, one of my first homes here was located just off the Bentonville square, on the very spot where the 21C Museum Hotel now stands.

  • Where did you go to school?

    University of Arkansas at Monticello and the community development institute at the University of Central Arkansas.

  • How long have you been working in planning?

    I've now been engaged in the planning profession for a decade and involved with different aspects of planning for twelve years

  • How did you get into city planning?

    My journey into city planning began under the mentorship of seasoned professionals in a local municipality.

  • In your own words, what does being a planner mean?

    To me, being a planner is about partnership. It involves working closely with local businesses, organizations, and residents to craft strategies that promote economic growth and community vitality while preserving the unique character and cohesion of neighborhoods. Planners and community development leaders are entrusted with guiding smart growth, expanding economic opportunities, and stewarding natural resources. Our responsibilities range from compliance oversight to the regulation of public policies on transportation, land use, recreation, and housing—all with the goal of expressing and achieving our community’s aspirations.

  • Is there a project, city or design that you draw inspiration from?

    Placemaking initiatives like the Razorback Regional Greenway make outdoor areas more accessible and provide green spaces within cities. Arkansas’s famous natural attractions bring plenty of visitors to the region, and environmental protection continues to play an important role in regional planning.

  • What is the biggest challenge you face at your job?

    The work is not without its challenges. Among the most pressing is the ongoing effort to provide a wide range of housing options in Northwest Arkansas, making homes more accessible and affordable. The rapid increase in housing costs has added strain for many residents, sometimes forcing them into alternative forms of living, such as multigenerational households or accessory dwelling units, or even out of the area altogether. The ideal is to offer housing for all without exclusion, but we’re still working toward that reality.

  • What are some things your department is working on that we should be aware of?

    At present, a goal for our department is to undertake a rewrite of the residential code—a step toward designing neighborhoods with greater intention, improved quality of life, and increased housing variety within each community.

Learn More about Lowell Planning