Sustainable Urbandale Action Plan

The Sustainable Urbandale Action Plan (SUAP) was created by the Department of Community and Regional Planning at Iowa State University during 2024.  The SUAP outlines an ambitious and holistic approach to implementing sustainable goals in Urbandale. It reflects the city’s dedication to sustainability, resiliency, and equity.

The Plan has a comprehensive list of goals across multiple domains to enhance quality of life and environmental stewardship. These goals include:

People Goal

• Goal A: Increase awareness about sustainable practices and education opportunities focusing on low-carbon solutions.

Renewable Energy

• Goal B: Expand the availability and usage of solar renewable energy to reduce future greenhouse gas emissions.
• Goal C: Reduce fossil fuel usage for all buildings’ energy consumption.

Net-Zero Energy Buildings

• Goal D: Ensure that new commercial and industrial buildings maximize energy efficiency through weatherization.
• Goal E: Retrofit existing buildings to reduce energy consumption.

Infill Development

• Goal F: Integrate nature-based solutions into built environments to support sustainable urban growth.
• Goal G: Enhance ecosystem services as a critical component of resiliency, promote biodiversity, and protect environments from the effects of urbanization. 
• Goal H: Increase access to walking and biking infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions. 
• Goal I: Improve access to nutritious, affordable, and culturally desirable food for all. 
• Goal J: Promote land-use development patterns to improve the utilization of assets in the built environment.