Background & experience
Yihan Zhang is a senior analyst at ESI and is engaged in economic and planning advisory across the urban and regional planning, economic development, public–private partnership, real estate, housing, and municipal fiscal policy sectors. With a strong foundation in data-driven analysis and strategic advisory, she helps public agencies, private developers, and mission-driven organizations evaluate complex investment and policy decisions. Her work bridges economic analysis and implementation strategy, supporting development initiatives that strengthen regional competitiveness and fiscal sustainability.
Yihan contributes to economic and fiscal impact analyses, municipal fiscal advisory, industry and regional economic studies, real estate feasibility assessments, and affordable housing evaluations. She has supported state and local economic development agencies in assessing catalytic investments and helped municipal governments evaluate fiscal conditions and development impacts. Her consulting for housing authorities has supported examination of market feasibility and housing supply strategies. Across these engagements, she translates complex market and policy dynamics into clear, decision-ready insights.
Yihan is recognized for her ability to distill complex questions into structured analytical frameworks and communicate key findings in a way that resonates with the public, community leaders, stakeholders, and technical audiences. Beyond economic impact and fiscal analysis, she brings expertise in public financing tools and development incentives, demographic and socioeconomic profiling, and the development of interactive financial and economic evaluation models. She integrates spatial and policy analytics to assess the broader fiscal, market, and broader social implications of urban development initiatives, helping clients understand both projected returns and long-term community outcomes.
Prior to joining the firm, she worked as a research assistant at the Housing Initiative at Penn, where she conducted research on housing stability and eviction prevention outcomes associated with California’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program. She also gained experience with real estate development firms, housing policy research institutions, and urban planning technology organizations.
Yihan holds a Master of City Planning degree from the University of Pennsylvania, with a concentration in Public and Private Development and a Certificate in Real Estate Design and Development. She is a certified member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and earned her bachelor’s degree in urban and rural planning from South China University of Technology. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to advancing effective public–private collaboration that strengthens communities and promotes sustainable economic growth.
