Menachem Elimelech (Nancy and Clint Carlson Professor)
We are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Dr. Kongjian Yu, who lost his life yesterday in a plane crash in Brazil.
This photo of Kongjian, David Sedlak, and me was taken at the University of California, Berkeley Water Day in March. It captures the warmth, brilliance, and joy that he brought to every conversation.
Kongjian was far more than a globally renowned ecological engineer and landscape architect—he was a visionary who changed how the world thinks about cities and nature.
His pioneering Sponge City concept showed that nature-based solutions can help cities adapt to climate change, reduce flooding, and create vibrant, beautiful urban environments. His ideas have reshaped hundreds of cities in China and inspired planners, engineers, and policymakers around the world.
I feel fortunate to have known him personally. Our conversations about ecological design and water resilience were always inspiring, and his kindness and generosity matched his extraordinary intellect. His passing is an immeasurable loss to our community and to the planet.
Read the sad news about the plane crash here: [https://lnkd.in/eV89rDCD](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://lnkd.in/eV89rDCD)
Rice WaTER Institute
Rice University Civil and Environmental Engineering
Rice University School of Engineering and Computing
Peking University
David Sedlak (UC Berkeley Professor)
A very sad day. Kongjian's genius, work ethic and kindness were an inspiration to everyone who cares about the planet. Even without him the vision of Sponge City and Sponge Planet will continue to help us to mitigate and adapt to a changing climate.
译文:
Menachem Elimelech （美国国家工程院院士，中国工程院外籍院士、莱斯大学南希与克林特·卡尔森讲席教授）
我们为俞孔坚博士的悲剧性离世感到心碎，他于昨日在巴西的一场飞机失事中丧生。
这张俞孔坚、大卫·塞德拉克和我的合影是今年三月在加州大学伯克利分校的世界水日活动上拍摄的。它捕捉到了他在每次交谈中带来的温暖、才华和喜悦。
俞孔坚远不止是一位全球知名的生态工程师和景观设计师——他是一位改变了世界对城市与自然看法的远见卓识者。
他开创性的“海绵城市”理念表明，基于自然的解决方案可以帮助城市适应气候变化、减少洪水，并创造充满活力、美丽的城市环境。他的思想重塑了中国的数百个城市，并激励了世界各地的规划师、工程师和决策者。
我感到很幸运能够认识他本人。我们关于生态设计和水韧性的对话总是鼓舞人心，他的善良和慷慨与他非凡的才智相得益彰。他的离世对我们的社群和整个地球来说都是无法估量的损失。
在此处阅读关于此次坠机事故的悲痛新闻：[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/24/architect-kongjian-yu-dies-brazil-plane-crash)
莱斯大学水研究所
莱斯大学土木与环境工程系
莱斯大学工程与计算学院
北京大学
David Sedlak （加州大学伯克利分校教授）
非常悲伤的一天。俞孔坚的才华、职业道德和善良鼓舞了每一个关心地球的人。虽遗憾他的离去，他留下的海绵城市和海绵地球的愿景也将继续帮助我们减缓和适应气候变化。
