Sustainability in Urbana
For over 30 years, the City of Urbana has practiced an understanding of the importance of preserving the environment for ecological, social, and economic benefits. In September 2005, the City increased its momentum in sustainability efforts when the Urbana City Council established a Common Goals Initiative that included several areas which reduce the City’s impact on the environment.
Urbana Climate Action Plan
The City of Urbana Sustainability Advisory Commission is creating an Urbana Climate Action Plan, a plan to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions in the community.
The City has a goal to reduce its environmental impacts while increasing the quality of life and supporting economic vibrancy. The Climate Action Plan will guide the community in the reduction of its energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions. Check out the Urbana Climate Action Plan page for more information.
Urbana's History in Sustainability
In April 2007, the Urbana Sustainability Initiative was presented by Councilmember Brandon Bowersox to the Urbana City Council. Since this date, the City has taken strides toward a strategic implementation of sustainable practices. An inventory of the City’s efforts, opportunities, and challenges are explained in the 2008 Sustainability Report. The report is a collaborative document that includes input from all City departments and City Council. It also describes an approach for future strategic inventory, planning, public involvement, and implementation of practices and policies which will create a Sustainable Urbana. Consult the 2008 Sustainability Report listed on the side bar for more information.
In May of 2007, Mayor of Urbana, Laurel Lunt Prussing, signed the U.S. Mayor Climate Protection Agreement. Here is map of other Cities that have signed the Agreement. The agreement declares the City’s commitment to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol target within each city and to urge the state and federal government to enact policies which do the same. The Kyoto Protocol calls for a 7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2012. Click on the Sustainability Report for more information.
In July 2008, the first City of Urbana Sustainability Advisory Commission was appointed. The role of the Commission is to advise the Mayor and Council in identifying the highest priorities for city government and citizens to achieve sustainable management of natural resources—water and energy in particular.
Additional Urbana Sustainability Efforts
Urbana is a charter member of the Tree City USA program, established in 1976 by the National Arbor Day Foundation, and is recognized as the leading community in Illinois.
The U-CYCLE recycling program, one of Illinois’ first residential curbside programs started in 1986, is a significant environmental initiative.
Since the late-1970s, farmers from the region have gathered in Urbana to provide local produce to citizens. Today the Market at the Square is one of the largest and most diverse farmers’ markets in Illinois.
Several of the City Council Common Goals, established in September 2005, reduce the City’s impact on the environment. Reducing Urbana’s environmental footprint and waste stream, expanding the recycling program, creating an affordable, energy-efficient model neighborhood, and getting Urbana bicycling will generate significant changes in the physical, built, and social environment of Urbana.
In January 2008, the Public Works Department formed a Green Team to look at sustainable measures that can be incorporated into Public Works activities. The mission of this Team is:
To promote, educate and lead our department to initiate change in perceptions, policies, and practices by addressing environmental impacts and needs, and committing to take action to improve and enhance the relationship between our department and the environment.
