How is your mayor doing? It sounds like a simple question. But how do we actually know which things happening in our cities deserve the credit—or the blame—of the people we elect?

Political scientist Justin de Benedictis-Kessner, author of The Fog of Accountability, joins Chip to explore why accountability in local government is so difficult: overlapping agencies and jurisdictions, limited information, fragmented responsibility, and the growing number of public, private, and nonprofit actors involved in making cities work.

Then the conversation moves from City Hall to something much smaller: there’s trash on the sidewalk. Who’s responsible for cleaning it up?

Morgan Berman, founder of Philadelphia-based Glitter, offers a different way into that question. Glitter gives neighbors a way to pool resources, create paid local work, and take direct action to care for the places they share. But if residents take responsibility for their own streets, does that empower communities—or let government off the hook?

In the Season Two finale of The Sidewalk Ballet, two conversations about accountability become a larger exploration of civic responsibility, collective agency, and what it means to shape a city.

Justin de Benedictis-Kessner

The FOG of Accountability

https://www.shareglitter.com/

instagram.com/peacoatproject

Street vending is everywhere in Mexico City. It is part of the city’s economy, its culture, and the everyday experience of its public spaces. But describing that work as simply “informal” misses much of what is actually happening.

Verónica Crossa is a geographer and professor at El Colegio de México whose research examines street vending, public space, and urban life. We met in Mexico City’s Parque Hundido to talk about the complicated systems that allow people to make a living in public space: the relationships between vendors and government, the politics of regulation and enforcement, and why the familiar divide between the “formal” and “informal” city may be a false one.

It’s a conversation rooted in Mexico City, but one that raises a much broader question: Who gets to work in public space, under what conditions, and what do the words we use to describe that work reveal about who—and what—we believe belongs there?

Verónica Crossa Niell

Recorded at the International Downtown Association Annual Conference in Toronto, this bonus episode brings together voices from downtowns across North America. Chip asks a group of downtown leaders what’s exciting them about the the field of Urban Place Management, what’s happening in their own communities—and one question chosen at random. A quick, lively snapshot of the people working every day to make cities stronger, more welcoming, and more resilient.

https://downtown.org/event/2026-annual-conference/

How much of a city is the ground beneath our feet? Sidewalks, streets and plazas make up an enormous part of the urban landscape, but most of the time we barely notice them.

In this Small Block, Chelsea Ritter-Soronen explores what happens when we start paying attention. From pavement as a canvas for public art to its role in shaping the identity, comfort and climate of a city, we look at the possibilities hiding in plain sight. Chelsea shares what Ground Shift Studios is learning about heat-responsive materials and techniques—including lessons from a recent research trip to Japan—and how something as simple as throwing water on the sidewalk can become both a cooling strategy and a communal ritual.

https://www.iamchelsea.com/

https://www.groundshift.studio/

Arts in the Right-of-Way

Color the Curb

Southwest BID

US-Japan Foundation

Uchimizu

What does it mean to design for a city where space is scarce, change is relentless, and the people who live there are too often left out of the process?

Mumbai architect and urban designer Rahul Kadri joins The Sidewalk Ballet for a conversation about architecture as a tool for creating not just buildings, but healthier, more connected cities.

Rahul is Principal Architect and Partner at IMK Architects, the practice founded by his father, I. M. Kadri, and his work spans architecture, urban planning, housing, education, ecology, and public space. We talk about inheriting—and evolving—a significant architectural legacy; new approaches to Mumbai's housing and density challenges; designing places that encourage friendship and connection; and rethinking the design process itself to make it more collaborative and participatory.

And, of course, we talk about the Malabar Hill Forest Trail: an extraordinary elevated walkway winding through a long-inaccessible urban forest that Rahul first explored as a boy. What began during the pandemic as an idea for reclaiming a piece of his childhood has become one of Mumbai's most celebrated new public spaces—and a powerful example of what can happen when architects don't wait for a client to tell them what a city needs.

It's a conversation about who gets to shape the city, how architects can create the conditions for people to shape it together, and what it means to build for connection in one of the densest cities on Earth.

imkarchitects.com

This is the story of an unfinished vision, a civic stage, and the generations of people who continue the work of becoming "We."

The Constitution begins with "We the People."

This special Sidewalk Ballet documentary explores how have our parks, streets, libraries, memorials, and public squares helped expand that answer, framed in the history and evolution of the National Mall.

Created for America's 250th anniversary, Democracy of Public Space explores how public space is more than the backdrop for democracy—it is where democracy is practiced, challenged, remembered, and continually reimagined.

Drawing together conversations with historians, planners, scholars, and voices from across The Sidewalk Ballet, this documentary asks a simple question: How do we continue to become "We the People"?

Democracy is never finished.

Part Two explores the tensions that have continually reshaped America's public spaces—and the people they represent. Through stories of protest, remembrance, inclusion, and everyday acts of community, we discover that democracy isn't only something we inherit. It is something each generation is called to strengthen, redefine, and pass on.

This episode asks, What kind of "We the People" will we leave for those who come next?

Original Music by the Peacoat Project.

Support future episodes of the Sidewalk Ballet

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Distinguished Professor of Environmental Psychology, Anthropology, Geography, and Women's Studies at the Graduate Center, City University of New York.

Setha Low is one of the world's leading scholars of public space. For more than four decades, her research has explored the relationship between people, place, culture, and democracy, examining how parks, plazas, streets, and other shared spaces shape civic life. Her work has helped redefine the way cities understand public space—not simply as physical infrastructure, but as a reflection of who belongs, who participates, and who feels welcome.

Her books include On the Plaza, Spatializing Culture, and Why Public Space Matters.

Founder and Chair, National Mall Coalition

Judy Scott Feldman has spent more than two decades championing the National Mall as America's premier civic gathering place. As founder of the National Mall Coalition, she has worked to protect the Mall's historic legacy while advocating for its continued evolution as a place where future generations can gather, commemorate, celebrate, and participate in American democracy.

Her work reminds us that preserving great public spaces isn't about freezing them in time—it's about ensuring they remain meaningful, accessible, and relevant for the publics still to come.

Professor at Columbia University's Climate School and an affiliated faculty member at Columbia Law School.

Sheila Foster is a leading scholar of cities, democracy, and the urban commons. Her work explores how communities share responsibility for the public spaces, institutions, and resources that shape everyday life. Through her research on governance, equity, and collective stewardship, she challenges conventional ideas about who creates, cares for, and benefits from the places we share.

Her work invites us to see democracy not simply as a system of government, but as a practice rooted in the stewardship of our common spaces.

Author, Researcher, and Creative Placemaking Practitioner

Dr. Cara Courage is an internationally recognized researcher, writer, and practitioner whose work explores the relationship between place, creativity, belonging, and civic life. Her research spans community engagement, cultural development, and trauma-informed placemaking, helping communities create places where people feel safe, connected, and empowered to participate.

Cara previously joined The Sidewalk Ballet in Episode 18, where we explored the emerging field of trauma-informed placemaking and asked a simple question: What does a place feel like when your nervous system trusts it? In this documentary, her reflections on ancient Greece help frame the enduring relationship between public space and democracy.

Marian Anderson was one of the most celebrated contraltos of the twentieth century, renowned throughout the world for the depth, warmth, and expressive power of her voice. After being denied the opportunity to perform at Washington's Constitution Hall because of her race, Anderson accepted an invitation to sing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939.

Before an integrated public of 75,000 people—and millions more listening by radio—her performance became one of the defining moments of American civic history. More than a concert, it revealed the power of public space to expand the meaning of "We the People."

Her voice continues to remind us that democracy is not only written in constitutions and laws, but also expressed in the places where people gather.

----more----

The National Mall & American Democracy

The National Mall Coalition

The Third Century Action Plan (National Mall Coalition)

The National Mall - National Park Service

L'Enfant Plan - National Park Service

McMillan Plan - US Senate

https://www.ryanpuzycki.com/p/the-political-city

Marian Anderson

PBS American Masters: Marian Anderson – The Whole World in Her Hands

Marian Anderson Collection - Internet Archive

Marian Anderson Easter Concert - US National Archives

Further Reading

Why Public Space Matters - Setha Low

Co-Cities - Sheila Foster

Placemaking Handbook - Dr. Cara Courage

Don Lane likes ice cream.

A lot.

This July—National Ice Cream Month—the former three-time Santa Cruz mayor is taking to the road on a statewide quest to visit nearly 100 artisan ice cream shops, from San Diego to Eureka, one scoop at a time. Or probably two at a time. 

But this isn't really a story about ice cream.

It's a story about citizenship, joy, and what happens when someone approaches every neighborhood as an advocate for the people who make it special.

In this Small Block, Chip joins Don for a few scoops, meets the people behind the counter, and explores how something as simple as an ice cream cone can become an act of community building.

Don's month-long California Ice Cream Tour is taking him to nearly 100 artisan ice cream shops across the state. Along the way, he's meeting shop owners, celebrating local businesses, and sharing his enthusiasm for the places that bring communities together.

On Sunday, July 19—National Ice Cream Day—that statewide adventure comes home to Santa Cruz with a public Scoop Crawl. Beginning at 3:00 p.m., participants will visit four beloved local shops—Mission Hill Creamery, Gran Gelato Caffè, Penny Ice Creamery, and Marianne's/Polar Bear—for an afternoon celebrating some of the city's sweetest institutions. Learn more about the Scoop Crawl in Edible Monterey Bay's feature on the event.

Don is also using the tour to raise funds for the Supporting Immigrants in Santa Cruz County Fund, which provides grants to trusted local organizations serving immigrant families with legal assistance, emergency support, education, and other essential services. If you'd like to support the effort, you can learn more or make a contribution through the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County.

Episode Links

Ice Cream Tour

The Scoop Crawl - July 19th

Penny Ice Creamery

Mission Hill Creamery

McConnells Ice Cream

An’s Dry Cleaning

Immigrants in Santa Cruz Supporting Fund

The Constitution begins with "We the People." The rest of the American story is, in many ways, the unfolding of who becomes "We."

The Democracy of Public Space – Part One: Do We Mean It? traces the evolution of the National Mall from an unfinished vision into one of the world's great civic stages, culminating in Marian Anderson's historic 1939 concert at the Lincoln Memorial.

This is the story of an unfinished vision, a civic stage, and the generations of people who continue the work of becoming "We."

----more----

Professor Emerita of Environmental Psychology, Anthropology, Geography, and Women's Studies at the Graduate Center, City University of New York

Setha Low is one of the world's leading scholars of public space. For more than four decades, her research has explored the relationship between people, place, culture, and democracy, examining how parks, plazas, streets, and other shared spaces shape civic life. Her work has helped redefine the way cities understand public space—not simply as physical infrastructure, but as a reflection of who belongs, who participates, and who feels welcome.

Her books include On the Plaza, Spatializing Culture, and Why Public Space Matters.

Founder and Chair, National Mall Coalition

Judy Scott Feldman has spent more than two decades championing the National Mall as America's premier civic gathering place. As founder of the National Mall Coalition, she has worked to protect the Mall's historic legacy while advocating for its continued evolution as a place where future generations can gather, commemorate, celebrate, and participate in American democracy.

Her work reminds us that preserving great public spaces isn't about freezing them in time—it's about ensuring they remain meaningful, accessible, and relevant for the publics still to come.

Professor of Climate, Columbia University

Sheila Foster is a leading scholar of cities, democracy, and the urban commons. Her work explores how communities share responsibility for the public spaces, institutions, and resources that shape everyday life. Through her research on governance, equity, and collective stewardship, she challenges conventional ideas about who creates, cares for, and benefits from the places we share.

Her work invites us to see democracy not simply as a system of government, but as a practice rooted in the stewardship of our common spaces.

Author, Researcher, and Creative Placemaking Practitioner

Dr. Cara Courage is an internationally recognized researcher, writer, and practitioner whose work explores the relationship between place, creativity, belonging, and civic life. Her research spans community engagement, cultural development, and trauma-informed placemaking, helping communities create places where people feel safe, connected, and empowered to participate.

Cara previously joined The Sidewalk Ballet in Episode 18, where we explored the emerging field of trauma-informed placemaking and asked a simple question: What does a place feel like when your nervous system trusts it? In this documentary, her reflections on ancient Greece help frame the enduring relationship between public space and democracy.

----more----

Marian Anderson was one of the most celebrated contraltos of the twentieth century, renowned throughout the world for the depth, warmth, and expressive power of her voice. After being denied the opportunity to perform at Washington's Constitution Hall because of her race, Anderson accepted an invitation to sing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939.

Before an integrated public of 75,000 people—and millions more listening by radio—her performance became one of the defining moments of American civic history. More than a concert, it revealed the power of public space to expand the meaning of "We the People."

Her voice continues to remind us that democracy is not only written in constitutions and laws, but also expressed in the places where people gather.

The National Mall & American Democracy

The National Mall Coalition

The Third Century Action Plan (National Mall Coalition)

The National Mall - National Park Service

L'Enfant Plan - National Park Service

McMillan Plan - US Senate

Marian Anderson

PBS American Masters: Marian Anderson – The Whole World in Her Hands

Marian Anderson Collection - Internet Archive

Marian Anderson Easter Concert - US National Archives

Explore More Episodes

Episode 18 — Cara Courage: Trauma-Informed Placemaking

Episode 12 — Evan Weissman: Warm Cookies of the Revolution

Episode 5 — Jay Pitter: Black Public Joy

Reading

Why Public Space Matters - Setha Low

On the Plaza - Setha Low

Co-Cities - Sheila Foster

Placemaking Handbook - Dr. Cara Courage

For most people, the work of managing a downtown is invisible. We notice the festivals, the flower baskets, the clean sidewalks, the thriving restaurants, and the public spaces—but rarely the people whose job is to help all of those things work together.

In this episode features a conversation with two pioneers of the downtown management profession: Michael Edwards and Kathleen Rawson. They've each spent decades helping shape Business Improvement Districts and the broader field of place management, watching it evolve from an emerging experiment into a profession that now influences communities across North America and the world.

Their conversation explores that evolution—from the early days of downtown revitalization to the increasingly complex role these organizations play today. They discuss how the work has changed, what effective leadership looks like in places where authority is often limited but expectations are endless, and why success depends less on controlling outcomes than on building relationships.

If you work in downtown management, this conversation will probably feel familiar. If you don't, it's a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of those professions that quietly shapes the places where we live, work, gather, and celebrate.

Whether you're interested in cities, leadership, collaboration, or simply how great places come to life, I think you'll come away with a deeper appreciation for the people who spend their careers caring for the spaces we all share.

Episode Links

Chicago Loop Alliance

Hollywood Partnership

Mainstreet America

International Downtown Association (IDA)

James Rouse

The Magnificent Mile

World Business Chicago

Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership

Pittsburgh Lights up for the Draft

Global Business District Innovation Club

Jamestown Renaissance Corporation

What does a place feel like when your nervous system trusts it?

In this episode of The Sidewalk Ballet, Chip talks with placemaking researcher, author, and practitioner Cara Courage for a conversation about the evolving field of placemaking, how it is understood, misunderstood, and why it matters.

Together they explore the relationship between people and place, the stories our environments carry, and the growing understanding of trauma-informed placemaking. From questions of belonging and care to memory, healing, arts, language and creative participation

What happens when places help us feel safe? What happens when they don't? And what responsibility do placemakers have in shaping those experiences?

Also in this episode, Chip reflects on the enduring fable of Stone Soup and the surprising role that soup has played throughout history as a tool for gathering, nourishment, connection, and care. The exploration of Soup leads to conversations with Amy Kaherl former Founder Director of Detroit Soup and Cristin Cooper from Coop’s Soup.

Episode Links

Dr. Cara Courage

The Routledge Handbook of Placemaking

Trauma Informed Placemaking

Long Live Placemaking, Placemaking is Dead

Coop’s Soup

Warm Cookies of the Revolution