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.
Challenger Cities
Challenger Cities is a podcast and publication exploring cities through unconventional—and sometimes accidental—urbanists. Created by Iain Montgomery, it pushes beyond traditional planning, architecture, and policy to talk with interesting people doing interesting things in cities around the world. Its premise is that cities shouldn't spend their energy trying to become somewhere else, but should build on what makes them distinctive—creating places where people genuinely want to live, work, gather, visit, eat, drink, and play. Think of it as an eclectic playlist for urbanists, intended to provoke conversation and action rather than produce another sterile planning report
Hollywood Partnership
The Hollywood Partnership is a non-profit organization that manages the public realm within the Hollywood Entertainment District (HED), which is a Property Based Business Improvement District (PBID). Simply, this means that the organization is funded by property owners within the district to provide enhanced services to promote the cleanliness, safety, beautification, and economic vitality of our neighborhood.
Our official mission is to enhance the appeal, vitality, and well-being of the Hollywood Community from the ground up.
Our vision is a Hollywood where experiences EXCEED expectations!
Chicago Loop Alliance
Chicago Loop Alliance represents the vibrant community and businesses that energize the Loop, making it a thriving neighborhood for all who visit, live, or work here.
Through programs, cultural initiatives, and partnerships, Chicago Loop Alliance brings people, investment, and opportunity to the Loop. As a member-based organization, we connect leaders, innovators, and changemakers shaping the nation’s largest central business district outside of Midtown Manhattan. Together with our affiliate, Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation, we create free cultural experiences that bring the neighborhood to life.
Michael Berne
Michael Berne is a retail planning and real estate consultant whose work focuses on the role shops, restaurants, and ground-floor businesses play in the life of downtowns and commercial districts. Through MJB Consulting, he advises cities, districts, developers, and communities on retail strategy and urban vitality.