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.
Caroline Keesler
Caroline Keesler is part of the team at the Tampa Downtown Partnership, working to support a vibrant, connected, and welcoming Downtown Tampa. Her work includes placemaking, public-space activation, events, and programs that bring people together and strengthen the downtown experience.
Downtown San Diego Partnership
The Downtown San Diego Partnership is a nonprofit organization that serves as the principal voice and driving force behind the economic prosperity and cultural vitality of Downtown San Diego. It also serves as the managing organization for several special districts including the Property and Business Improvement District, otherwise known as the Clean & Safe program, that provides essential public services in the 275 blocks of Downtown.
Southwest BID
The Southwest Business Improvement District (SWBID) serves the area south of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., using public art and creative placemaking as central tools for shaping the neighborhood’s public realm. Through murals, artist collaborations, temporary installations, and other creative interventions, SWBID brings color, storytelling, and a distinct sense of place to streets, sidewalks, and shared spaces throughout Southwest.
Effortless City
Effortless City creates inclusive neighborhood and sidewalk guides designed around a simple idea: knowing where you want to go isn’t enough—you also need to know what it will take to get there. Designed for walkers, rollers, and strollers, its guides document the details conventional maps often leave out, including steps, ramps, sidewalk conditions, terrain, restrooms, and potential obstacles.