Imagine cities that embrace rain as an ally, allowing every drop to be absorbed, stored and used wisely.

This vision — the “sponge city” concept — was pioneered by Kongjian Yu, a global reference in landscape architecture and ecological urban planning. He advocated living with water rather than fighting it, showing how nature-based solutions can transform urban areas to be more resilient and sustainable.

His work continues to inspire cities worldwide, proving that urban design can harmonize with natural cycles and support people, biodiversity and climate resilience.

We deeply mourn the passing of Kongjian Yu and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family. His contributions to urbanism and sustainability will leave a lasting legacy.