It’s with that understanding that we launch this conversation.

This week, an estimated three million people will either be born into or move to a new city — roughly the population of Chicago, suddenly finding themselves navigating and depending on an urban environment they had little or nothing to do with creating. And then as many more next week.

The conversations we’re curating call on a remarkable lineup of people — some specialists, some generalists — each contributing ideas and inquiry to the ongoing urban experiment. I’m grateful and honored to welcome these extraordinary visionaries, and I’m equally delighted to invite you to join the conversation.

Because when we talk about the people who shape our cities, we’re talking about all of us. We’re talking about the three million who will arrive this week.

This is a conversation about how we live together — as natives and newcomers alike. It’s a story of finding our place, our people, and our purpose where we are.

It’s the story of belonging.

Whatever your role in building your city — and for however long it has been, or will be, your city — welcome to The Sidewalk Ballet.

I hope these conversations bring you both ideas and inspiration.

— Chip “Public Character”