The Story Behind the Stars: Unveiling the Flag of Urbandale, Iowa

The flag of a city is more than just a piece of cloth; it's a symbol of its identity, values, and aspirations. In the summer of 2024, Urbandale, Iowa, unveiled its new flag, a design rich in symbolism and community input. This article delves into the details of the Urbandale city flag, exploring its design elements, the process behind its creation, and what it represents for the city's future.

A Star of U's: Decoding the Design

The Urbandale flag features a striking design: six intertwined "U"s in light blue and white, forming a star against a dark blue background. But what does this all mean?

• The "U"s: These represent the coming together of various elements that make Urbandale a thriving community: its people, natural resources, businesses, schools, transportation, and local government. The intertwining signifies unity and strength.
• Light Blue and White: Called "legacy colors for Urbandale," these colors are symbolic of stability and peace. The two colors of the U's also represent the two counties where Urbandale is expanding.
• Dark Blue Field: This provides a background of stability and tradition.
• The Star: A bright star against the dark blue evokes the fireworks of Urbandale's Independence Day celebrations, representing a bold and positive outlook for the future. The star is a symbol of hope, ambition, and the pursuit of excellence.
• Endless Pattern: The interlocked U's creating an "endless pattern" symbolizes the community's ongoing journey forward together.

The Colors of Urbandale's Identity

The official colors of the Urbandale flag are carefully chosen and defined, ensuring consistency and accurate representation.

• OG Blue: PMS 2768, #021d49
• UN Blue: PMS 292, #65b2e9
• White: #ffffff

A Flag Born from Community Collaboration

The creation of the Urbandale flag was a collaborative effort, involving hundreds of people and numerous design submissions. Here’s a glimpse into the process:

1. Resolution 200-2023: Approved in October 2023, this resolution recognized the need for a city flag and kickstarted the design process.
2. Design Submissions: Over 440 designs were submitted, not only from Urbandale residents but also from across central Iowa and even other states.
3. Flag Design Committee: This committee, composed of city officials, residents, and a graphic designer, played a key role in reviewing submissions and guiding the design process.
4. Flag Design Selection Working Group: A volunteer group of community members helped narrow down the submissions to twelve designs for consideration.
5. Community Input: The final five designs were presented to the community for feedback, with over 500 people rating them.
6. Refinement and Approval: Based on community feedback and guidance from the North American Vexillological Association, the Flag Design Committee finalized the design. Resolution 185-2024, adopting the City Flag for Urbandale, was approved on July 2, 2024.

This extensive process highlights Urbandale's commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that the flag truly represents the community's identity.

How to Display the Urbandale Flag

Proper display of the flag is essential to honor its symbolism. The most important thing to remember is that the white "U" shape should always be on top, appearing upright and readable. This ensures that the flag is not displayed upside down or reversed.

More Than Just a Flag: Merchandise and Community Pride

The City of Urbandale is making it easier for residents to show their city pride. Flag merchandise, including t-shirts, mugs, mini flags, and stickers, are available for purchase at City Hall. These items allow residents to display the flag's emblem and colors, fostering a sense of belonging and community spirit.

Urbandale: A City on the Rise

The new flag of Urbandale is a symbol of a community moving forward, embracing its identity, and building a bright future. The collaborative process behind its creation and the thoughtful symbolism embedded in its design reflect the spirit of Urbandale – a city that values unity, progress, and community engagement. Learn more about Urbandale's initiatives and future plans by exploring the Sustainable Urbandale Action Plan or discover Urbandale's History.