FORT WORTH, Texas, November 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Everything is bigger in Texas, from the open skies to the communities it calls home. And Texas' rapid growth shows no signs of slowing. According to the latest forecast from… University of Virginia Weldon Cooper Center for the PublicserviceTexas is expected to have the third-highest growth rate among American states this decade and its population is estimated at 1.6 million 32,463,602 in 2030.
As growth continues, Dunaway – a multidisciplinary planning, design and engineering firm – helps cities plan for the future through data-driven, people-centered comprehensive planning. “Planning is the interface between demands and practicality”notes Stephen Cook, AICP, senior planner and associate at Dunaway.“We are working closely with city administrations and city councils to ensure our plans are not only visionary but also realistic.”
The role of comprehensive planning
Comprehensive planning is often the first crucial step in the development of a city. It creates a growth plan that connects land use, transportation, housing, parks and infrastructure. “Modern approaches focus on making plans practical and actionable.” explains Cook. “They serve as a guide for future actions and decisions and help communities grow sustainably.”
Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, Dunaway planners work with city managers, council members and residents to transform local values into actionable strategies. Each plan is tailored to the individual needs and desires of the community.
Leading Growth in New Fairview
Once a landscape of open pastures, New Fairview, Texas, is now transforming into a balanced mix of residential and commercial development. Dunaway's planning and GIS expertise has guided the city's transformation through zoning and subdivision plans, special development regulations and development agreements in the ETJ.
“Technology plays a key role” Cook said. “We create interactive maps and web applications that give officials and residents 24/7 access to zoning, street types and subdivision data. These tools enable cities to understand their assets and make informed decisions.” Dunaway also supplies towns like New Fairview ArcGIS Online platforms through a partnership with Esri, Enables real-time collaboration and community engagement.
Character Maintenance in Caddo Mills
Located on the west side of Hunt County, Caddo Mills has a long railroad history as part of the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas (KATY) Railroad system. With excellent schools, the city is seeing strong demand for housing, making it a prime community for relocation. Dunaway's team worked closely with the city's steering committee to develop a vision that balances new growth with preservation.
“The committee provided direct input on future land use,” Cook said. “The focus of the plan was to expand the I-30 corridor while preserving flood plains for parks and trails. This vision resulted in a parks master plan and construction plan that emphasized balanced development.”
Updating Codes in Kennedale
In Kennedyle, TexasDunaway worked with the city to align future development with housing market trends and community goals. Through a collaborative, publicly streamed planning process, Dunaway helped reorganize the city's Unified Development Code (UDC) to better reflect Kennedale's character and evolving needs.
“The updated master plan promotes smart housing density and thoughtful design,” Cook said. “It is a forward-looking roadmap based on community values.”
Planning for Progress in Bridgeport
For Bridgeport, TexasDunaway led a comprehensive planning process that included public meetings, surveys and committee input. The plan prioritized addressing housing growth, preserving the historic downtown, supporting local businesses and incorporating pedestrian-friendly spaces. Investments in infrastructure such as roads and stormwater systems also aim to improve resilience and sustainability through the use of modern technologies and solutions.
“Our partnership with the City of Bridgeport goes beyond planning.” Cook noted. “We have also designed a downtown park and continue to provide technical, landscaping and infrastructure planning support. This continuity, combined with the plan, has provided Bridgeport with a blueprint for a resilient and successful future.”
A holistic approach to designing cities
Dunaway's multidisciplinary team combines planning, engineering, landscape architecture and GIS technology to help Texas communities grow with purpose. “Our collaborative process combines aesthetics with real solutions,” Cook said. “The result is long-term value that improves lives and strengthens the communities we serve.”
About Dunaway
founded in 1956, Dunaway is a multidisciplinary professional services firm that, in addition to SUE (Subsurface Utility Engineering) and ROW (Right-of-Way) services, also provides surveying, civil and structural engineering, planning and landscape architecture, construction inspection services (CIS), and environmental and geographic information systems (GIS). With eight offices across Texas, Dunaway works with public and private clients to develop meaningful, sustainable solutions.
For more information, visit https://www.dunaway.com/.
SOURCE Dunaway
