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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Tim Tompkins

Tim Tompkins is a longtime leader in urban place management and the founder of SharedCity, a consultancy focused on helping cities and downtown organizations create more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient places. Previously President of the Times Square Alliance, his work spans public space, economic development, arts and culture, placemaking, and the evolving role of downtowns in civic life.

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Kathleen Rawson

Kathleen Rawson is a place management professional with more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, public space management, placemaking, and hospitality. Rawson currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer for The Hollywood Partnership, the non-profit organization that manages the Hollywood Entertainment District, including the world-renowned Walk of Fame. Before her new role in Hollywood, Rawson served as CEO of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM, Inc.) from 1997 to 2022.

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Shane Zahn

Shane Zahn is Senior Director of Community Safety for the Minneapolis Downtown Council and Downtown Improvement District, where he has helped shape downtown safety strategy since the DID’s creation in 2009.

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International Downtown Association

The International Downtown Association (IDA) is the leading global membership organization for people and organizations working to manage, strengthen, and shape downtowns and urban districts. Founded in 1954, IDA connects the growing field of urban place management, including downtown associations, business improvement districts, public agencies, and other place-based organizations.

Through conferences, research, professional development, and peer networks, IDA helps practitioners share strategies for economic development, public-space management, planning, events, organizational leadership, and advocacy—work that happens where policy, culture, commerce, and everyday urban life meet.