In Memory of Prof. Kongjian Yu (1963-2025)
The Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects (HKILA) deeply mourns the passing of Professor Kongjian Yu, who tragically lost his life in a plane crash in Brazil. The world has lost one of landscape architecture’s most visionary figures.
After studying at Beijing Forestry University and later earning a Doctor of Design from Harvard GSD, Professor Yu returned to China in 1997, founding Turenscape and serving as Professor and Dean at Peking University. His pioneering work in ecological restoration and nature-based solutions, especially the concept of the “Sponge City,” transformed global approaches to climate resilience and sustainable urban design.
He received many international honours, including the IFLA Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe Award (2020) and the Cornelia Hahn Oberlander Prize (2023), and was recently named a Forbes 2025 Sustainability Leader. His celebrated projects—such as Yanweizhou Park, Qunli Stormwater Wetland, Shanghai Houtan Park, and Benjakitti Forest Park—embody his belief that modern landscape architecture is “the art of survival.”
Professor Yu shared a long and meaningful connection with Hong Kong, from his 1997 journey through China to his participation in the 2022 Hong Kong International Urban Forestry Conference. Many HKILA members also had the privilege of meeting him in Nantes during the IFLA World Congress 2025, where his vision, warmth, and generosity shone through.
He will be remembered for his profound contributions to ecological civilization and his ability to unite science, art, and humanity. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of landscape architects.
HKILA extends our deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, and students. May his spirit live on in the landscapes he healed and the lives he touched.
With heartfelt sympathy,
The Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects (HKILA)