Taking a walk through West Urbana’s tree-lined streets during autumn reveals a bright mix of red, orange and yellow foliage shading the sidewalks and narrow streets. These results of West Urbana’s sustainability efforts help create a community that residents enjoy living and working in. West Urbana was recently honored for its sustainability efforts and selected as one of 10 Great Neighborhoods in America for 2007 by the American Planning Association.

“It’s always nice to see recognition for something you love and have fought for all these years,” said Betsey Cronan, co-coordinator of the West Urbana Neighborhood Association.

She expressed some amazement at being put into the same category with other neighborhoods such as Pike Place Market neighborhood in Seattle, Wash., and North Beach in San Francisco, Calif.

“It’s a pretty rarified company we’ve been put into there,” she said.

According to the APA Web site, West Urbana was chosen because of its sustainable design, which encourages commuters to walk, bike or use public transportation. The percentage of residents who choose to use these alternatives to cars is about triple the national average. The neighborhood was also recognized for its “inviting neighborhood spaces,” such as Carle Park and the Urbana Free Library, and its focus on maintaining a high quality of life.

“The planning profession is helping to point out how our communities can give people very good quality of life while still being sustainable,” said Cynthia Hoyle, a transportation planning consultant certified by the American Planning Association.

Libby Tyler, community development director for Urbana, said West Urbana’s recognition as a great neighborhood brings a sense of pride to the community, and it is confirmation for the neighborhood to continue doing positive things. Besides the walk-ability and beauty of West Urbana, Tyler said she also thinks its real estate diversity was a factor in the selection process. While the neighborhood has some larger, more elaborate homes, there are also more affordable ones, Tyler said.

Hoyle said there are few college towns in the country where the faculty can afford to live within walking distance of work. This aspect of West Urbana needs to be preserved, she said.

West Urbana not only has diversity in its homes, said Cronan, but also a mix of residents, including retirees, University employees and people who work in downtown Urbana. Once viewed as an enclave for faculty members, the area is no longer dominated by a single employer.

Robert Olshansky, a professor in urban and regional planning and a resident of West Urbana, nominated the neighborhood when the APA put out the request a few months ago through their “Great Places in America” program. After a process that included talking with city officials and reviewing submitted photos of the area, West Urbana was chosen for the award. This is the first year the association has made these designations.

The layout of West Urbana is a result of planning and designs that cities stopped doing in the 1950s and 1960s, Tyler said. The neighborhood was plotted when cities were designed for people, not cars, she said. Tyler cited narrow streets to slow vehicle traffic, sidewalks, a high number of trees and globe-style streetlamps as proof Urbana is a community that fits the needs of people.

“You get all you need in a calmer system,” she said. “It’s better for mental health.”

Preserving the history of the community remains a priority for West Urbana and city officials. The city’s planning department is working on a conservation district ordinance that, if approved, would protect unique communities like West Urbana, which do not qualify for historic district status, according to a press release.

Protections would be given to communities that meet design review requirements.

“I hope (this designation) raises visibility and attracts people to the neighborhood,” Cronan said.