Better Birmingham

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Together, we make A Better Birmingham. Cities thrive when people come first. That means walkable streets, safe bike routes, accessible parks, reliable public transit, and housing that welcomes everyone. At Better Birmingham, we’re building momentum toward a city designed around people—not cars. Our work connects everyday citizens with the policies and projects that shape how we move, live, and grow together. When communities have the tools to engage, they don’t just adapt to change—they lead it. Join us as we advocate for a more connected, equitable, and vibrant Birmingham. Because together, we really can make A Better Birmingham. #BetterBirmingham #Urbanism #PublicTransit #SafeStreets #AccessibleCities #PeopleFirst #CommunityBuilding #BirminghamAL

Birmingham’s First All-Inclusive Playground: A Win for Accessibility and Community Bessie Estell Park just became home to Birmingham’s first all-inclusive playground — and it represents more than a new place to play. It’s proof that when cities invest in accessibility, everyone benefits. Accessible parks are not just about equipment. They are about connection, inclusion, and dignity. When families of all abilities can share the same space, neighborhoods grow stronger. When children can play together without barriers, empathy and understanding take root. And when parks are designed for everyone, they become hubs of health, belonging, and civic pride. The new playground at Bessie Estell Park is a shining example of people-first design in action. Funded through ARPA and city surplus funds, it shows what happens when compassion meets thoughtful planning. This is the kind of investment that moves a city forward — not through cars or concrete, but through care, accessibility, and community. #BetterBirmingham #AccessibleDesign #InclusiveParks #PeopleFirst #Urbanism #BirminghamAL #SafeStreets #CommunityBuilding

Safe Streets Start with Strong Animal Control A people-first city is one where everyone feels safe using public space. That includes how we manage animals in our neighborhoods. At the recent Birmingham Animal Control Town Hall at A.H. Parker High School, residents spoke about the growing danger of stray and loose dogs. City leaders shared that more than 20,000 calls to 311 have involved animal complaints in the last two and a half years. For many, this is not just about pets. It is about whether families feel safe walking, riding, or gathering outside. Effective animal control is part of people-first urbanism. When policy protects both residents and animals, it supports walkability, active transportation, and community trust. Humane enforcement, accessible resources, and responsible ownership all make our public spaces safer and more welcoming. A people-first city protects everyone who shares its streets. #BetterBirmingham #PeopleFirst #SafeStreets #UrbanDesign #PublicSafety #CommunityHealth #AnimalControl #Urbanism #ActiveTransportation #CivicEngagement https://lnkd.in/eV6BX8kD

Why People-First Places Matter Cities thrive when people come first. When streets, buildings, and public spaces are designed around human movement, interaction, and comfort, everything else follows—safety, business activity, and community trust. People-first design begins with a simple idea: our neighborhoods should serve those who live in them, not just the cars that pass through. A sidewalk shaded by trees, a crosswalk that feels safe, a corner café that welcomes neighbors—these details shape how we connect with one another. They make it possible for children to walk to school, for seniors to reach the bus stop, and for families to spend time outside together. In Birmingham, we see examples of this transformation in places like Railroad Park and Rotary Trail. These spaces show how prioritizing people can turn underused land into centers of civic life. The same approach can extend to every street, from neighborhood corridors to suburban centers. When cities plan for walkability, housing near jobs, and reliable public transit, they invite participation from everyone. A people-first place is not just a design choice. It is an investment in belonging. It tells residents that their city values their time, health, and happiness. It also strengthens the local economy because places that attract people naturally attract opportunity. Our goal is to make Birmingham a model for this kind of design—a city where mobility is a right, streets are safe, and communities thrive. By reimagining streets as shared spaces and housing as part of a complete ecosystem, we can build a city that truly works for people. Let’s continue to create places built for people, together. #BetterBirmingham #PeopleFirst #UrbanDesign #PublicSpaces #CompleteStreets #WalkableCities #ActiveTransportation #CommunityBuilding #SafeStreets #Urbanism

Public transit is only as strong as the infrastructure that supports it. Bus stops, sidewalks, crosswalks, and shelters are not extras. They are the foundation of a system that respects people’s time, safety, and dignity. A great transit experience begins before the ride even starts. It looks like shaded waiting areas, level boarding, and clear signage. It feels like safety lighting, consistent maintenance, and routes that connect where people actually live and work. When cities invest in this kind of infrastructure, transit becomes more than a last resort. It becomes a reliable choice for everyone, from students to seniors. Building better infrastructure for transit means building trust in how a city moves. It is how we turn mobility into opportunity. #BuiltForPeople #BetterBirmingham #PublicTransit #UrbanDesign #Infrastructure #CompleteStreets #MobilityForAll #CityPlanning #Urbanism #BirminghamAL

Built for People: Morris Avenue Morris Avenue is one of Birmingham’s most authentic streets. Its brick paving, narrow lanes, and historic warehouses tell the story of a city built around people, not traffic. What makes Morris Avenue special is its proximity. Homes, cafés, markets, and offices all sit within a short walk of each other. It shows how convenience and community can exist on the same block. Over the past decade, careful restoration and small-scale investment have brought life back to this corridor. Old warehouses now hold new ideas, and residents can live, work, and relax within a few steps. Morris Avenue proves that when cities prioritize walkability and mixed use, they do more than preserve history. They make everyday life easier, more connected, and more human. #BuiltForPeople #BetterBirmingham #MorrisAvenue #UrbanDesign #WalkableCities #PublicSpaces #Urbanism #CityPlanning #BirminghamAL

Built for People: Railroad Park Railroad Park is more than a green space. It is one of Birmingham’s greatest examples of people-first design. What was once an industrial rail yard that divided the city is now a 19-acre park that connects neighborhoods, supports local events, and restores the environment. Each year, more than 600,000 people visit to walk, bike, and gather on ground that was once off limits to the public. Since its opening in 2010, Railroad Park has sparked more than 300 million dollars in nearby investment and inspired a new vision for how public space can shape community life. It captures what happens when design focuses on people instead of cars. Railroad Park proves that when we build for people, we build lasting value for everyone. #BuiltForPeople #BetterBirmingham #RailroadPark #UrbanDesign #PublicSpaces #CompleteStreets #CityPlanning #BirminghamAL #Urbanism 

Greener design creates stronger neighborhoods. Green infrastructure turns everyday places into climate smart assets. Trees cool sidewalks. Rain gardens absorb stormwater. Parks and plazas invite people to gather and move. These investments reduce flooding, improve air quality, and make it easier and safer to walk and bike. They also support local business by creating comfortable blocks where people want to linger. Let’s link shade streets, green corridors, and pocket parks across Birmingham. Start with school routes, transit stops, and heat island hotspots. Share a spot that deserves a green fix and let’s build momentum together. #GreenInfrastructure #BetterBirmingham #ResilientCities #UrbanDesign #CommunityBuilding