In Reframing the Reclaiming of Urban Space: A Feminist Exploration into Do-It-Yourself Urbanism in Chicago, Megan E. Heim LaFrombois explores the concept of do-it-yourself (DIY) urbanism from an intersectional, feminist, analytical framework. Interventions based on DIY urbanism are small-scale and place-specific and focus on urban spaces which can be reclaimed and repurposed, often outside of formal urban planning institutions. Heim LaFrombois examines the discourses and processes surrounding the institutionalized and embedded nature of DIY urbanism. She weaves together sites and sources to reveal the ways in which DIY urbanists make sense of their participation and experiences with DIY urbanism and with the broader political, social, and economic contexts and spaces in which these activities take place. Her research findings contribute to and build on current research that illustrates the importance of gender, race, class, and sexuality to cities, local politics, urban planning initiatives, and the development of communities.

--focuses exclusively on the planning discipline and explicitly on progressive, transformational, and regenerative approaches to utilizing university-community partnerships as part of planning curricula --includes unwieldy projects that require a complex understanding of the community and critical thinking in order to devise plans/proposals that address ‘messy’ interrelated issues in real communities --authored contributions and perspectives from academics, professional practitioners, and academic-practitioners --focuses on linking theory with practice in terms of exploring more abstract and academic topics (e.g., pedagogy and higher education issues) alongside more practical topics (e.g., case studies, best practices, barriers, and logistical issues).