Kongjian Yu, a leading Chinese landscape architect known for his 'sponge city' concept, was killed in a plane crash in Brazil's Pantanal wetlands while filming a documentary about his work. The crash also claimed the lives of three others, including filmmakers and a pilot. Yu's work focused on sustainable urban water management and ecological restoration, influencing policies in China and beyond. The incident occurred during a trip to document his ecological initiatives, highlighting his global impact on urban resilience and climate adaptation.