To document and analyze the connection between gender and planning, the editors of this volume have assembled an interdisciplinary collection of influential essays by leading scholars. Contributors point to the ubiquitous single-family home, which prevents women from sharing tasks or pooling services. Similarly, they argue that public transportation routes are usually designed for the (male) worker's commute from home to the central city, and do not help the suburban dweller running errands. In addition to these practical considerations, many contributors offer theoretical perspectives on issues such as planning discourse and the construction of concepts of rationality.

Issues include women and violence, public housing, downtown development, child care, welfare, employment, election to office, and rape programs.

High-level urban analysis is noticeably devoid of either gendered perspectives or attention to women's interests, relying instead on economics and sometimes race to explain various phenomenon. Gender in Urban Research applies gender as a category of analysis to urban institutions. Contributions cover gendered analysis in central city development policy, violence against women, affordable housing, political power and elections.