Yittayih Zelalem

Yittayih Zelalem is the Director of the Nathalie P. Voorhees Center for Neighborhood and Community Improvement and a Research Associate Professor in Urban Planning and Policy at the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, University of Illinois Chicago. Their work bridges academic research and community-driven urban development.

Dr. Zelalem's research interests focus on urban planning, community development, and neighborhood improvement, aligning with the mission of the Voorhees Center to advance equitable urban growth through data-driven analysis and stakeholder engagement.

As Director of the Voorhees Center, Dr. Zelalem leads initiatives addressing housing, infrastructure, and socio-economic disparities in Chicago neighborhoods. Their affiliation with the Department of Urban Planning and Policy underscores their commitment to integrating research with practical policy solutions.