QUICK REFERENCE
CITY LAYOUT: Circular with radial "clock" streets (2:00, 3:00, etc.) and curved "letter" streets CENTER LANDMARKS: The Man (dead center), Temple (beyond Man), Center Camp (6:00 position) KEY NAVIGATION: Esplanade = innermost circle, letters go A-K outward, numbers = clock positions CURRENT STREET NAMES (2025): Esplanade, Atwood, Bradbury, Cherryh, Dick, Ellison, Farmer, Gibson, Herbert, Ishiguro, Jemisin, Kilgore
MOST COMMON QUESTIONS:
How do I find [address]? → Clock position (2:00-10:00) + letter street, use Man as center reference
Where am I now? → Look for street signs, use Man/Temple as compass points
What's the fastest route? → Bike radial streets, walk curved streets, use major landmarks
I'm lost in a dust storm → Stay put, use sound/light beacons, follow fence if on perimeter
Where's Center Camp? → 6:00 position, look for large dome and crowds
REMEMBER: Man = center compass, Temple = 12:00 direction, addresses read as "clock & letter"
See detailed maps, navigation tips, and landmark guide below
Also see:
B2: Transportation Options (for getting around once you know where to go)
C2: Communication & Information (for digital maps, What Where When guide)
D2: Special Programs (for camp locations, art installation locations)
F2: Event Information (for landmark context, city layout philosophy)
Navigation support chain:
Lost and need direction → B1 (orientation, landmarks)
Know where to go, need transport → B2 (bikes, walking)
Need specific addresses → C2 (Digital Services directory)
Looking for events/camps → D2 (Placement, Passport Office)
City Layout & Address System
Basic Structure
Shape: Semi-circle (like a clock face from 2:00 to 10:00) Center Point: The Man (all surveying done from this point) Orientation: Temple at 12:00, Gate entrance around 6:00
Street System
Radial Streets (Clock Positions):
2:00, 2:30, 3:00, 3:30, 4:00, 4:30, 5:00, 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30, 10:00
Additional radials exist at the :15 and :45 positions between F and K
These streets run from Esplanade straight out toward the fence, stopping at K
5:00 is one exception which continues, past K, to the Airport
Like spokes on a wheel
Concentric Streets (Letters A-K):
Esplanade: Innermost circle, faces The Man
A through K: Curved streets that form concentric circles
2025 Names and their origins:
Margaret Atwood – Often explores dystopian futures where environmental destruction, gender inequality, and authoritarianism dominate. Her works like The Handmaid’s Tale focus on the erosion of individual freedoms and societal control.
Ray Bradbury – Known for cautionary tales about technology and its impact on humanity. In Fahrenheit 451, he imagines a future where censorship and mindless entertainment are widespread, and intellectual freedom is crushed.
C.J. Cherryh – Explores complex, multi-species societies and intricate political systems, often in space. Her works, such as Downbelow Station, delve into the consequences of human expansion and interaction with alien civilizations.
Philip K. Dick – Depicts alternate realities, authoritarian control, and questions of identity and consciousness. His work often explores the blurring lines between reality and illusion, as seen in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (which inspired Blade Runner).
Harlan Ellison – Known for his dark and often provocative visions, Ellison’s futures tend to be morally complex, examining human nature and societal breakdown. A Boy and His Dog reflects post-apocalyptic worlds and survival ethics.
Philip José Farmer – Explores themes of immortality, alternate realities, and the evolution of humanity. His Riverworld series imagines a world where all humans throughout time are resurrected to live in a single, vast world.
William Gibson – A pioneer of cyberpunk, Gibson’s Neuromancer envisions a digital, hyper-connected world filled with hackers, corporate control, and artificial intelligence, giving rise to the concept of cyberspace.
Frank Herbert – His Dune series presents a future where ecology, politics, religion, and human evolution are intertwined. He imagines complex systems of power and environmental challenges, emphasizing sustainability and the consequences of imperialism.
Kazuo Ishiguro – Imagines futures that focus on human emotional responses to technological advances. In Never Let Me Go, he explores the ethics of cloning and the emotional lives of individuals in a future shaped by scientific progress.
N.K. Jemisin – In her Broken Earth trilogy, Jemisin creates a world where ecological disaster and social injustice shape human existence. Her works examine systemic oppression, survival, and the interconnectedness of all life.
Kilgore Trout – Known for absurd and satirical science fiction, Trout’s works often feature strange, sometimes darkly comedic explorations of humanity’s future, often involving strange or cosmic events that offer insight into human nature.
Address Format
Example: "5:30 & Farmer" = the intersection of the 5:30 radial street and Farmer (F) street Reading Addresses: Clock position first, then letter street "Plaza" Locations: 3:00 & C, 6:00 & C (Center Camp), 9:00 & C
How to read art addresses Art installations on the open playa are located using a clock-face and distance system, with the Man as the center point. Imagine standing at the Man and facing the Temple at 12:00. The first part of an art address tells you the direction (like 3:08, 6:34, or 9:07). The second part is the distance in feet from the Man. For example: “9:07 and 3250′” means the piece is almost directly to your left, 3,250 feet away from the Man. Think of it as time on a clock plus distance—together they give you the coordinates to find art in the vast open playa.
Major Landmarks & Navigation Points
Central Landmarks
The Man
Location: Dead center of city (the center of “the clock”)
Use: Primary compass point, all addresses radiate from here
Visibility: Usually visible from most city locations
At night: Illuminated, often with laser/light shows
The Temple
Location: Beyond The Man toward 12:00 (2600 Feet from The Man)
Use: Marks "deep playa", provides orientation to “the clock” when compared to The Man
Navigation: If Temple is in front of you and The Man is behind you, you're facing 12:00
Center Camp
Location: 6:00 position, large circular area (3000 Feet from The Man)
Use: The heart of the city. Many city services are located in or around Center Camp area
Identification: The Canopy, the largest tensile shade structure on Earth — a circular acre, entrances along all sides. Variety of Flags above its center
Plaza Locations
3:00 Plaza (3:00 & C)
Medical station, Ranger outpost "Berlin"
ICE³ sales location
6:00 Plaza (Center Camp)
Arctica, Playa Info, BMIR radio, Ranger HQ, multiple services
Some can be on the “outside” of Center Camp, along Esplanade between 5:15 and 6:45
Main community gathering space
9:00 Plaza (9:00 & C)
Medical station, Ranger outpost "Tokyo"
ICE 9 sales location
Perimeter Landmarks
Gate Entrance
Location: Approximately 6:00 on the outer perimeter
Features: Vehicle entry/exit, Box Office (D Lot), Greeters, F Lot
Navigation: If you can see Gate operations, you're near 6:00 outer edge
Airport
Location: 5:00 road past "K" street
Features: Aircraft operations, scenic rides
Sound Cue: Aircraft noise indicates 5:00 direction
Greeters Station
Location: 6:00 road past “K” street, before Gate
Porta-potties
Porta-potties are located on every radial street between C & D and G & H. The exceptions to this are:
3:00 and 9:00, with banks at D & E
4:30 and 7:30 with banks at C & D and H & I
Banks located near the Man base and by the Temple
Two “deep playa banks” at approximately 11:30 and 12:30
Navigation Strategies
Basic Orientation
Find The Man: Always your central reference point
Identify clock position: Where are you relative to Man? (2:00-10:00 range)
Identify letter street: How far from Esplanade? (A-K progression)
Use major landmarks: Center Camp, Plazas, Temple for confirmation
Getting Around Efficiently
By Bike (Recommended):
Radial streets: Fast north-south travel (toward/away from Man)
Letter streets: East-west travel (around the city)
Shortcuts: Cut across open areas of inner playa when safe and appropriate
Example: Leaving 5:30 and “B”, trying to get to 8:45 and “G”. Follow 5:30 toward the man, reach 5:30 and Esplanade, cut across the playa to 8:30 and Esplanade, travel away from the man, along 8:30 until reaching “G”, follow “G” to 8:45, arriving at 8:45 and “G”.
On Foot:
Plan Ahead: Make sure to take water and supplies, it’s easy to get distracted or take longer than expected on foot
Stay on streets: Easier navigation, less chance of getting lost
Use shade: Plaza areas and some camps offer rest stops
Group travel: Easier to help each other navigate
Finding Specific Addresses
Identify clock position: Go to the correct radial street (2:00, 5:30, etc.)
Count out from Esplanade: A, B, C... to find letter street
Look for cross streets: Most intersections have street signs
Ask locals: Camp neighbors usually know their immediate area
Navigation in Challenging Conditions
Dust Storm Navigation
If Caught in Whiteout:
Stop moving: Stay put until visibility improves
Find shelter: Duck behind structures, vehicles, or art
Find people: If you cannot find shelter easily, find other people
Use audio cues: Listen for music, generator sounds, voices
Follow fences: If on perimeter, fence can guide you
Wait it out: Most dust storms pass in 15-30 minutes
Preparation:
Carry lights and whistle
Note landmarks when are moving through the city and visibility is good
Travel with a buddy when possible
Know your camp's audio signature (generator sound, music style)
Night Navigation
Essential Equipment:
Personal lights: Headlamp, flashlight, LEDs, or EL wire
Lighting on both Front and Back, you want to be seen
Bike lights: Front and rear lights required
Lights that can be seen from front, sides, and back make you easier to spot
Reflective gear: Helps others see you
Navigation Aids:
Art installations: Many are lit and serve as landmarks
Sound camps: Audio landmarks for orientation
Light installations: Help identify location and direction
Camp lighting: Most camps have distinctive lighting, some may raise a light beacon
Porta-Potties: Each end of the bank of porta-potties is marked with a solid blue light.
Low Visibility Tips
Move slowly: Don't rush in poor conditions
Use handholds: Art, fences, structures for guidance
Sound navigation: Call out to identify friendly voices
Light discipline: Don't blind others with bright lights
Buddy system: Travel together when possible
Navigation Tools & Resources
Physical Maps
What Where When Guide: Contains detailed city map with all streets and major installations City Maps: Large reference maps available for viewing at Playa Info and in the major plazas Camp Maps: Many camps create their own neighborhood maps
Digital Resources
Digital Services Terminals: At Playa Info, can access interactive maps and directories BMIR Radio: Sometimes announces location-specific information
Smart Phone Apps: Download and install apps like iBurn (Requires internet access)
Camp-Based Resources
Local Knowledge: Neighbors often know their immediate area well Camp Maps: Theme camps sometimes post maps of their local area Direction Posts: Some camps create direction markers to major landmarks
Pro Tips for Volunteers
Common Navigation Challenges
"I don't know where I am" → Help them identify nearest street signs, use Man as reference
"All these streets look the same" → Teach landmark navigation (plazas, major art, sound camps)
"I'm supposed to meet someone at..." → Confirm they have correct address format (clock & letter)
"I can't find my camp" → Ask for nearby landmarks, camp names, distinctive features
Quick Orientation Help
Point to The Man: "See that tall structure? That's center, everything radiates from there"
Identify their position: "You're at Playa Info, which is Esplanade & 5:45"
Show direction: "Your destination is that way (point), about X blocks"
Give landmarks: "Look for the big art piece" or "listen for the techno camp"
Navigation Teaching Tips
Use hand gestures: Point to landmarks while explaining
Draw simple maps: Quick sketch on paper can help visual learners
Relate to familiar concepts: "Like a clock face" or "like city blocks"
Provide backup plans: "If you get lost, look for these landmarks"
Managing Dust Storm Questions
Safety first: "Don't try to travel in zero visibility"
Reassurance: "Dust storms usually pass quickly"
Practical advice: "Find shelter and wait, listen for familiar sounds"
Emergency protocol: "If truly lost and unsafe, find any staff with radio"