Landscape architect Kongjian Yu has tragically passed away during a plane crash that occurred late on Tuesday in Brazil, says Brazilian authorities.

A global champion of the ‘sponge cities’ concept, a global ambassador for the profession of landscape architecture and a global advocate for addressing the effects of climate change, Yu had also been awarded the biennial Cornelia Hahn Oberlander International Landscape Architecture Prize in 2023.

He had also scooped several other international accolades, including the IFLA Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe Award in 2020 and the RAIC International Prize in 2025. 

Charles Birnbaum, president and chief executive of The Cultural Landscape Foundation comments on his passing:

“Yu demonstrated that one person can make a difference. Thanks to his unceasing efforts, the “sponge cities” concept was adopted as national policy in China. Leading by example he unequivocally demonstrated how a landscape architect can change the way a major country sees and acts, and inspired a global movement.”

The International Federation of Landscape Architects also reflects on the life of Yu in a memorial dedicated to his works, describing him as a “true visionary,” adding:

“May his memory be a blessing, and may his contributions to landscape architecture continue to inspire future generations to build a more resilient and harmonious world.”

Yu’s tragic death has sent shock waves across the international industry, as members leave tributes from across the world. Read them here.