Farwa Zaidi

Urbanist, Reader, Writer, and Researcher

United States

Farwa Zaidi (she/her) is an urbanist and writer living in Philadelphia. She has a Master of Science in urban strategy from Drexel University. Farwa published a thesis titled “Disinvesting in Food: How Philadelphia's History of Redlining and Food Apartheid Has Contributed to Mass Incarceration.” Farwa's degree, background, and research have all been with the focus and aim to increase the quality of life of low-income and immigrant communities. She is passionate about using urbanism to create more equitable societies for all, especially people like herself: a brown Muslim first-generation woman from Queens, NY.

Portfolio
Drexel University
06/12/2023
Disinvesting in Food: How Philadelphia's History of Redlining and Food Apartheid Has Contributed...

Philadelphia has a long and tragic history of redlining and disinvestment, impacting African American residents at disproportionate rates. Neighborhoods where African Americans and other communities of color have lived have lost opportunities to green spaces, clean air, quality education, and healthy food retailers. Redlining and disinvestment can also lead to higher rates of crime, violence, and policing. The relationship between redlining, food access, and incarceration shows the way...

Anti-Racism Daily
03/08/2022
When Victims Can't Afford to Leave Their Abusers

Victims of domestic violence find it harder to leave their partners due to being financially manipulated and dependent on them. As a result, many are forced into poverty or debt once they can escape.

Anti-Racism Daily
11/29/2020
Stop Shia persecution.

In America, Muslims are often seen as a monolith. As a whole, we have experienced discrimination and persecution from non-Muslims. What people may not know is that Islam actually consists of many sects, including Sunnism, Shi'ism, Ismailism, and Ahmadiyya, much like how Christianity includes Protestantism and Catholicism.

Medium
11/10/2021
Gun Violence in Philadelphia is a Feminist Issue

When we think of feminism, often the issues that first come to mind are reproductive rights, the wage gap, voting rights, etc. An issue that may not be as obvious to many is gun violence. You may be...

Medium
04/20/2022
The Intersections Between Climate Justice and Feminism

This Earth Day, it is vital that we consider the intersection of climate justice and feminism. It is no secret that our climate becomes more and more endangered everyday. It is imperative that women...

Medium
08/18/2022
Narratives around Roe v. Wade

Sam nibbled at her fingernails as she sat in the waiting room. While she had made this decision months ago, she was still nervous. She reached over to grab her boyfriend's hand, finding herself...