The city of Urbandale, Iowa, recently adopted a new flag in the summer of 2024, reflecting its vibrant community and forward-looking vision. This article delves into the design, symbolism, and creation of the Urbandale city flag, offering a comprehensive look at this emblem of local pride.
The journey to create the Urbandale city flag was a collaborative effort, involving hundreds of residents. It began with City Council Resolution 200-2023 in October 2023, recognizing the need for a flag to represent the city. The ensuing eight-month process saw over 440 designs submitted from across Central Iowa and beyond.
A dedicated Flag Design Committee, comprised of city officials, residents with expertise in history and graphic design, and staff members, meticulously reviewed the submissions. They were aided by a volunteer Flag Design Selection Working Group, ensuring diverse community perspectives were considered. This inclusive process highlights Urbandale's commitment to citizen involvement in shaping its identity.
The selection process involved multiple stages, ultimately narrowing down the submissions to five designs presented to the community for feedback. Over 500 people participated in rating the flags. The favored design was refined based on guidance from the North American Vexillological Association and flag fabric manufacturers.
The chosen flag design features six intertwined "U"s in light blue and white, forming a star on a dark blue field. Each element carries significant meaning:
The official colors of the Urbandale City Flag are:
When displaying the flag, it's essential to ensure it's hung correctly to honor its symbolism, and the white "U" shape should be on top. This ensures the "U" appears upright and readable, just as it would in text.
You can learn more about proper flag etiquette from resources like the U.S. Flag Code.
The city of Urbandale offers various merchandise featuring the flag emblem, allowing residents to showcase their local pride. Items such as t-shirts, flags, mugs, and stickers are available for purchase at City Hall. Stickers and mini flags are even available for free (while supplies last).
For graphic design purposes or other uses, the Urbandale City Flag is available for download in various formats:
While celebrating the new flag, take the time to explore other aspects of Urbandale. Learn about Urbandale's History, check out upcoming City Projects, or discover the Sustainable Urbandale Action Plan.
The Urbandale City Flag is more than just a piece of fabric; it's a representation of the community's values, history, and aspirations for the future. Its creation serves as a testament to the power of collaboration and civic engagement and celebrates the city's unique identity.
