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.

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Walking in the City with Jane

Susan Hughes’ illustrated children’s book introduces young readers to Jane Jacobs through the curiosity and careful observation that shaped her ideas about cities. It follows Jacobs from her fascination with everyday urban life to her celebrated fight against plans that threatened New York neighborhoods.

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SF Slow - Janes Walk SF

SF Slow is a Jane’s Walk created by BIG Creative exploring the ways San Francisco tells its story through streets, buildings, public spaces, memory, and change. Part walking tour and part conversation, it invites participants to slow down and read the city together.

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Jane’s Walk

Jane’s Walk is an annual festival of free, community-led walking conversations inspired by Jane Jacobs.

On the first weekend of May every year, Jane’s Walk festivals take place in hundreds of cities around the world.

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Sarah Luca

Sarah Luca is an urbanist and community builder who served as chair of the board of Jane’s Walk, the global movement of free, community-led walking conversations inspired by the work and ideas of Jane Jacobs.

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Cary Tyson

Cary Tyson is Executive Director of Portland Downtown, the nonprofit organization working to strengthen the vitality of downtown Portland, Maine. A longtime leader in downtown and place management, his work brings together economic development, advocacy, events, public-space activation, and partnerships that support local businesses while reinforcing downtown as the civic, cultural, and economic heart of the community.