The Sidewalk Ballet Field Guide
The Sidewalk Ballet Field Guide is a growing collection of people, organizations, projects, books, ideas and ongoing conversations about cities and the people who shape them. It grows out of the podcast, but extends well beyond it—connecting the people doing the work, the places where it’s happening, and the ideas, experiments and resources worth carrying forward. Think of it as part reference library, part trail of breadcrumbs: a way to follow the conversation wherever it leads.
Explore by type, browse alphabetically or by date, or search for something specific. Follow the tags to discover connections—or explore the map to see where the people, projects and ideas in the Field Guide take us.
Placemaking US
PlacemakingUS is a national network connecting people who care about creating more inclusive, vibrant, and people-centered places. Through gatherings, workshops, peer learning, and collaborative projects, the organization brings together placemakers from across disciplines and communities to share ideas, tools, and experiences. Rather than promoting a single approach to placemaking, PlacemakingUS helps build relationships among the people doing the work—supporting a growing community committed to shaping public spaces with, rather than simply for, the people who use them.
The Art Of Relevance
The Art of Relevance is Nina Simon’s practical exploration of how organizations create meaningful connections with the people they hope to serve. Simon argues that relevance isn’t about reaching a bigger audience—it’s about understanding what matters to people, recognizing barriers to participation, and creating genuine invitations to belong. For anyone working in placemaking, culture, or civic life, it offers a useful question to carry into almost any project: Who is this for, and how will they know?
Cara Courage
Cara Courage is a researcher, writer, curator, and practitioner whose work explores placemaking, public space, arts and culture, and community participation. A leading voice in the international placemaking field, she has written and edited extensively on how creative practice and citizen-led approaches can shape more inclusive, connected, and meaningful places.
Placemaking for Children and Youth
Victoria Derr, Louise Chawla, and Mara Mintzer offer a practical guide to involving children and young people in urban planning and design. Drawing on international examples, the book combines principles, case studies, and methods for meaningful, ethical, and inclusive youth participation.