Plane crash kills “sponge city” architect Kongjian Yu in Brazil
Four people died in a small plane crash in the city of Aquidauana, Mato Grosso do Sul state, late Tuesday afternoon (Sep. 23).
Among the victims is 62-year-old Chinese architect Kongjian Yu, considered one of today’s most influential architects and urban planners and the creator of the concept of sponge cities, which use nature to make urban agglomerations more resilient to severe weather conditions.
The plane belonged to pilot Marcelo Pereira de Barros, 59, who also died in the tragedy. The other two victims of the crash of the Cessna Aircraft 175 are filmmaker Luiz Ferraz, 42, and photography director Rubens Crispim Jr., 51.
Investigators were at the accident site collecting material and information that may help clarify the causes of the tragedy.
In a statement, Olé Produções, a company founded by Ferraz and other partners, confirmed the deaths of Yu, Barros, Crispim, and Ferraz in the pantanal region of Mato Grosso do Sul.
Thomas Miguez, who works for the company and is a friend of Yu’s family, told Agência Brasil that Ferraz and Crispim were recording material for a documentary they planned to make about Yu’s work, which would be called Sponge Planet.
“Professor Yu’s trip to Brazil was at the invitation of the 14th International Architecture Biennial of São Paulo, but as they were involved in the production of the film, the visit to the pantanal was a special request from the professor, who was unfamiliar with the region,” commented Miguez, referring to Yu as a professor at Peking University.
Yu was invited by the Brazilian Institute of Architects to give the opening lecture at the Biennial, where he spoke about his concept of sponge cities. Two weeks earlier, he had participated in an international conference organized by the Brazilian Council of Architecture and Urbanism, CAU 2025, in Brasília from September 4 to 6.
Condolences
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said he was saddened and shocked to hear the news of the plane crash and the death of the four passengers. He commented on the importance of Chinese architect Kongjian Yu.
“In times of climate change, Kongjian Yu became globally recognized for his sponge cities, which combine quality of life and environmental protection, something we want – and need – for the future,” he wrote.
*Bruno de Freitas Moura contributed to this article.
