Professor Kongjian Yu's passing leaves an irreplaceable void in our field - a loss I feel profoundlyThough our meeting was brief during the Turenscape workshop in Xixian in 2023, his humility and genuine passion for ecological design left a lasting impression on me. In those few moments, he embodied the very principles he championed - thoughtful, grounded, and deeply connected to the natural world.

Having followed his pioneering work since 2015, I've witnessed how his vision for constructed wetlands and sponge cities has transformed not just landscapes, but our entire approach to urban ecology. His path-breaking research and practice have shown us that cities can work with nature rather than against it, creating resilient environments that serve both people and ecosystems.

My thoughts are with his family, colleagues, and the global community of landscape architects who have been touched by his visionary work. His contributions to our field and our planet are immeasurable.