Urbana IL Sustainable Development for 2030
Urbana, Illinois may not be one of the biggest cities in the world, but it is a community that has plenty of room to grow. In east-central Illinois, Urbana is home to nearly 40,000 people. With the University of Illinois nearby, the city is made up of people from many different backgrounds, making it a diverse and constantly changing community. While Urbana has its strengths, it still struggles with maintaining sustainability and taking care of its population properly. Three of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that I believe Urbana has room to improve on are No Poverty, Affordable and Clean Energy, and Sustainable Cities and Communities.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Urbana's estimated population was 39,719 people as of last year. The median household income is $45,346, while 28% of people in Urbana live in poverty. In addition, only 37.3% of homes are occupied by their owner, and the median rent is $972. These statistics further the point that while Urbana has many opportunities available for its residents, not everyone has the same level of financial security or access to housing.
Goal 1: No Poverty
Poverty is one of the most obvious challenges facing Urbana. With 28% of the population living in poverty, a large part of the community is struggling financially. Poverty is not simply about having less money. It can affect a person's ability to afford housing, transportation, food, and other basic human needs. Urbana's plans also recognize the importance of housing and supporting residents in the community. While the city is working hard toward creating more sustainable housing through its housing programs, there is still a continued need to make sure that people have access to safe and affordable places where they can live.
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Urbana has already made significant progress toward becoming a more sustainable city. The city reached its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% in 2020 and has a long-term goal of becoming carbon neutral. Additionally, Urbana has expanded the use of LED lighting, while also having 25% of the citywide electricity come from renewable energy sources. Imagine Urbana's "Comprehensive Plan" includes plans to prioritize energy efficiency and renewable energy in city projects, increase residential and commercial geothermal systems, and develop electric city-owned vehicles. While Urbana has made progress towards a cleaner energy system, it still has not reached its final goal of becoming carbon neutral.
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
A sustainable city is much more than just a city with clean energy. In order to have a sustainable city, it should be a place where people can safely live, work, travel, and participate in their community. Imagine Urbana lists plans to improve sidewalks, encourage biking and walking, increase access to parks, reduce waste, plant trees, and build sustainable buildings while preserving existing ones. While Urbana has plenty of well-thought-through goals, it still struggles with keeping pedestrians safe, unaffordable and inaccessible housing, and funding for all of its projects. All of this holds Urbana back from its true potential of becoming a sustainable community.
If I were able to help Urbana with these goals, I would bring my willingness to help, volunteer, and support movements that are already working toward these changes. When I am passionate about something, I take it very seriously to tell people I know about the topic and why it is important. I could volunteer my time with local organizations, participate in community projects, or help spread the word about programs focused on poverty, sustainability, and improving the community. Supporting people who are already at work makes a world of difference. I believe that this is something we can all do to improve our individual communities: even if we are not the leaders of a movement, we can still help by showing up, volunteering, and encouraging others to get involved.
Making these changes will not be easy. For Urbana, money is an obvious obstacle. Renewable energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and transportation changes can all be expensive. Urbana also will need to get its community involved. A city can make plans, but for them to succeed, it needs residents, businesses, and community organizations to participate. Urbana's sustainability plans may take a long time to complete, but it has already taken many steps in the right direction. While one person cannot solve these problems alone, everyone can contribute. Whether your skill is communication, statistics, teaching, or encouraging others, you can still play a key role in helping your community grow stronger — no matter how long it takes.
- Leeza Unzicker
Sources:
Photo Credit: Justin Shen (@shenny_visuals) at Unsplash.com. Taken by drone in Champaign, Illinois, United States.
City of Urbana, Illinois. (2020, January). Imagine Urbana: Comprehensive Plan. Urbanail.gov. Accessed September 2026, from https://www.urbanail.gov/community-development-services/page/comprehensive-plan
Urbana City, Illinois Census. census.gov. Accessed September 2026, from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/urbanacityillinois/HEA775225
Gabriel Lewis. (2025, December). Commute Mode Share Champaign County. data.ccrpc.org. Accessed September 2026, from https://data.ccrpc.org/dataset/commuter-mode-share?