On the evening of 23rd local time, a small plane crashed in Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul, central and western Brazil, killing all four people on board. One of them is Chinese architect, Beijing University professor Wu Conong.
Brazilian President Lula tweeted on social media on Monday to pay tribute to the victims of the accident.
Lula said in an increasingly severe era of climate change, The concept of "sponge city" has become a global example, this philosophy combines quality of life and environmental protection, which is exactly what humanity seeks and needs in the future.
Brazil’s Vice President Arquimedes also expressed deep condolences on social media for the victims and said Yue Conan is known for introducing the concept of “sponge city” and for his outstanding contribution to sustainable urbanization and biodiversity protection. His spiritual heritage will continue to inspire all those who are committed to the cause of environmental protection.
Yu Kongjian data map
According to the local fire department, four victims have been identified, including one pilot, two Brazilian documentary producers and Yu Conan, and the cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Local media reported, At the time, Yuan was filming a documentary about the “Sponge City” in the Pantanal wetlands.
Public information shows that Yu Conan was born in 1963, Zhejiang Kim Chinese.In 1987 he received a Master's degree in gardening at Beijing Forestry University, in 1995 he received a doctorate in design at Harvard University, in 1997 he returned home, then served as the first dean of the Beijing University Institute of Architecture and Landscape Design, founded the award-winning international journal Landscape Design and became the editor-in-chief, and founded the national A-level design agency Native Design Turenscape.
In 2016, Yu Conan was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; in 2020, the highest honor awarded by the World Landscape Gardens Federation – IFLA Jeffrey Jericho Award; in 2021, the highest award in the field of world ecological philosophy and ecological civilization “Cob Common Welfare Award”.