Like all of you, l was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Kongjian Yulast week. He was a true visionary and transformational leader on a global scaleI also found him to be a generous and kind man and am truly honored to haveknown him. Nine years ago when LAF asked leading minds to reflect on the last 50years and offer bold ideas for landscape architecture moving forward, Kongjian'stalk and essay were titled “The Art of Survival". To him, landscape architecturewas precisely that -essential for survival. l was always fascinated and inspiredwith how he started the Sponge City movement, meeting with elected officials tocodify Sponge Cities at the highest levels of design guidance in China. l hope thatKongjian may rest in peace knowing that the Sponge Planet movement he startedwill continue to grow through us.

与诸位一样，我得知俞孔坚教授上周离世的消息时深感震惊与悲痛。他是一位真正的全球性远见者与变革型领导者，更是一位慷慨仁慈的智者。有幸与他相识，我倍感荣耀。九年前，当《景观设计学》（LAF）邀请全球顶尖学者回望过去五十年并为景观设计学的未来提出大胆构想时，俞教授的演讲与论文题为《生存的艺术》。在他看来，景观建筑学关乎人类生存的根本。他发起的海绵城市运动令我始终着迷且深受启迪：从与决策者会晤，到将海绵城市理念写入中国最高层级的规划设计指南。愿俞教授安息，他开启的“海绵星球”运动将通过我们继续发展壮大。

Barbara Deutsch, FASLA

CEO