Professor Yu Kongjian was one of my greatest references in the study of landscape architecture and urban water management. His strong influence of ecological ideas and his approach to integrating water into the daily life of cities were both an inspiration to me and an important contribution to the completion of my master’s degree in the field. I was fortunate to briefly meet the professor during his visit to Brazil in 2024. I had lunch with him and a group of fellow landscape architects in the heart of the Tijuca Forest, within the Atlantic Forest biome of Rio de Janeiro. Even in that brief lunch, I could feel the professor’s incredible energy, his will for change, and his passion for nature. That encounter certainly had an impact on me and reinforced my belief that there is no future without including nature and water in our daily lives. The untimely passing of Professor Yu Kongjian is extremely painful and leaves behind a monumental legacy. I am certain that his ideals and projects will inspire countless generations of architects to change the planet for the better, just as he did for me. Thank you, professor！ Rest in peace.