Yihan Zhang

Urban Planning • Economic Development • Data Analytics

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Hi, it’s Yihan!

I’m a city planner by training, and a data scientist and urban economist by passion (and quite a bit of training too).

Currently, I work as a Senior Analyst at Econsult Solutions, Inc. (ESI), a consulting firm specializing in urban economic development. You can explore some of the projects I’ve worked on (the ones I can share) in the Project tab.

Before joining ESI, I earned my Master’s degree in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania, concentrating in Public and Private Development. During my time there, I also served as a Research Assistant at The Housing Initiative at Penn, where I contributed to evaluating the COVID-19 Emergency Rent Assistance Program in California.

Through my academic journey and professional endeavors, I’ve been driven by a singular curiosity: understanding the interplay—sometimes cooperative, sometimes contentious—between public and private forces in shaping urban economic development.

I believe:

  1. Economic development opportunities should be shared equitably by all.
  2. Housing is a basic human right.
  3. Balancing efficiency and equity is challenging, but it’s a challenge worth embracing.