Faris Zaibaq, a student in the M.D.-Ph.D. program at Heersink School of Medicine, has focused his extracurricular work on how city design shapes daily life in Birmingham. Together with his collaborators, he helped launch Better Birmingham, a community initiative focused on improving access across the city, particularly in transportation and housing.
While Better Birmingham officially launched in 2025, its roots stretch back to the 2023 statewide Alabama Urbanist Coalition. This effort encouraged individuals to take a more active role in shaping their communities. As the initiative expanded into city-based chapters and interest grew in Birmingham, Zaibaq and his colleagues recognized the need for a dedicated local effort.
A major turning point came through Zaibaq’s involvement with the Alabama Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF). After learning about the opportunity through Heersink's Office of Service Learning, he and Ethan Madison, UAB Dentistry resident, developed a proposal for enhancing the safety and walkability of Birmingham streets that aligned with their existing work. Their acceptance into the 2024–2025 cohort provided funding and mentorship.
One of the most visible accomplishments to come from their ASF project was the “Woodlawn Road Diet” along First Avenue South in Birmingham. The initiative focused on eliminating lanes to reduce traffic speeds and improve safety and create a more walkable corridor. Working with residents, organizations, and the Birmingham Department of Transportation, Zaibaq and Madison led a group of UAB medical students to paint new lanes and crosswalks, creating slower speed zones. Prior to these changes, the roadway was known for dangerous, fast-moving traffic that limited access for pedestrians and cyclists. In the month leading up to the project, three separate car incidents occurred on First Avenue South, causing damage to the REV Birmingham nonprofit building. Following the project’s launch, vehicle speeds slowed, foot traffic increased, and local businesses reported stronger engagement from the surrounding community. The city has recently decided to make the Woodlawn road diet permanent.
The success of the Woodlawn project and the attention it generated throughout the city ultimately led to the formation of Better Birmingham in October 2025. Today, the organization builds on that momentum by advancing efforts to improve accessibility through initiatives addressing practical challenges with long-term impact.
In addition to its policy and advocacy efforts, such as promoting zoning reform and safer street design, the group has focused on smaller, tangible projects that address immediate community needs. One example is the installation of simple benches at bus stops and along walking routes. This initiative was launched after the organization noticed that many bus stops in the city lack adequate seating for passengers. As a result, they have added several seating areas throughout the city. “We added a bench by the Hugh Kaul Trail, which is a high-traffic area that connects with the Pepper Place Farmer’s Market,” Zaibaq said. “Now that the bench is there, you’ll see people sitting on it, and they don’t realize it wasn’t there before.” These additions reflect Better Birmingham’s consistent approach to identifying gaps and building toward larger goals over time.
To students looking to get involved in community initiatives, Zaibaq notes that opportunities are often more accessible than they may appear. “There are many amazing groups in Birmingham who share a similar passion and would love to collaborate. Sometimes all it takes is a little digging or getting connected with the right person,” Zaibaq says. By seeking out these connections, students can create meaningful projects that reflect their own interests and bring their ideas to life.
Looking ahead, Better Birmingham continues to expand its reach through partnerships across the city and increased engagement on UAB’s campus. By working with local organizations and community leaders, the leadership team of Better Birmingham is building a network of individuals invested in Birmingham’s future.
If you’re looking to get involved in the Birmingham community, explore the Better Birmingham Organizations page.