Comprehensive Plan

The Forward Urbandale Comprehensive Plan is designed to guide and inform Urbandale's decisions over the next 10 – 20 years, especially concerning land zoning, city boundary expansion, and public and private development. The City Council adopted the Comprehensive Plan in December 2023 after holding a public hearing on the final plan. Community members were engaged every step of the way in meetings, online surveys and a project website.

View a PDF of the Comprehensive Plan here, or see below for specific chapters and topics.

VISION

PEOPLE: The City of Urbandale continues to grow as a thriving, dynamic, and welcoming community. The residents are engaged with one another, and the City’s services continue to be efficient and add value throughout the community. The City’s unique places, natural areas, and history, such as Walnut Creek and Walker Johnston Regional Parks, destination nodes that support artisan and local businesses, and Living History Farms, provide ample opportunities for the community to gather and interact. Various attainable housing choices are available to residents of all backgrounds, regardless of their stage of life, socioeconomic status, and physical ability.
BUSINESS AREAS: The City’s major commercial corridors, such as 86th Street and 100th Street and Douglas Avenue, and nodes west of Interstate 35/80 are visually appealing and bike and pedestrian-friendly while providing essential goods and services to residents. New businesses and mixed-use development have revitalized the Downtown Urbandale area as a unique destination in the City, complemented by the revisioning of nearby Merle Hay Mall. In partnership with the City of Des Moines, the mall has been reinvigorated as a regional destination and has opened additional opportunities for dining, entertainment, unique retailers, and diverse housing options that also benefit from Downtown Urbandale’s safe walking environment and thriving businesses.
TRANSPORTATION: Urbandale’s expanded network of complete streets prioritizes safe and active connections for residents. The City’s trail network, known throughout the region, connects Urbandale’s various neighborhoods to one another and to employment nodes and commercial services throughout the community.
ECONOMY: A variety of employment opportunities and businesses fuel Urbandale’s local economy. The City’s business nodes and employment hubs capitalize on access to the Urban Loop to attract and retain an innovative and talented workforce. These areas, including the Northpark/Plum Drive corridors, have been improved with amenities like public art, local retail and dining opportunities, and open space improvements. These improvements, combined with access to Interstate 35/80 and quality infrastructure, are positioned as premier employment hubs in the greater Des Moines region.
QUALITY OF LIFE: As more and more quality housing and economic development opportunities have been realized, Urbandale has continued to deliver excellent city services to new and existing residents and businesses. This has included programming a range of community events and activities and providing attractive public spaces for socializing and enjoying the outdoors that have strengthened community identity. Regardless of what neighborhood or school district residents live in, they are proud to be part of the Urbandale community.

PLANNING THEMES

Environmental Stewardship
Welcoming to All
Community Health and Wellness

GOALS

Prioritize development within the City’s municipal boundaries and ensure the necessary infrastructure is present to support future growth.
Support a diverse range of attainable housing options to support residents of all backgrounds and stages of life.
Reinvest in the City’s commercial corridors and nodes to strengthen them as attractive and unique destinations.
Maintain and enhance the City’s existing business parks as attractive employment hubs in the City and in the Des Moines metro region.
Create a safe and connected multimodal transportation network that enhances the City’s character and supports efficient travel throughout the City.
Implement complete streets throughout the City to promote safe and comfortable biking, walking, and transit for all ages and abilities.
Ensure adequate utilities and services are available concurrent with future growth.
Enhance, protect, and improve access to the City’s parks and recreational assets.