Yu Kongjian, pioneer of sponge cities, dies in Brazil plane crashCEFR A1
29 Sept 2025
Adapted from Global Voices Brazil, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Ian Talmacs, Unsplash
- Yu Kongjian, 62, died in a plane crash.
- He was a Chinese landscape architect and professor.
- Yu founded Turenscape and taught at Peking University.
- The group made a documentary about sponge cities.
- Pilot Marcelo Pereira de Barros died.
- Filmmaker Luiz Fernando Feres da Cunha Ferraz died.
- Filmmaker Rubens Crispim Jr died.
- The crash took place in the Pantanal, Brazil.
- It happened on September 23, 2025 and investigation continues.
Difficult words
- crash — A sudden and violent collision or accident.the crash
- die — To stop living.died
- architect — A person who designs buildings.
- documentary — A film or program that gives facts.
- cause — The reason something happens.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What do you think about plane safety?
- Why is Yu Kongjian important?
- What could improve documentary filmmaking?
Related articles
COP30 in Belém: big finance deal but no clear fossil fuel cuts
COP30 ended in Belém on 22 November with a large finance package to mobilise US$1.3 trillion a year by 2035, but delegates did not secure clear commitments to cut fossil fuel use. Talks saw a pavilion fire and ongoing debates on implementation.
Women, Forests and COP30: RADD's Forest Immersion in Cameroon
During COP30 in Belém (10–21 November 2025) RADD held a forest immersion on 17 November 2025 in Cameroon. The event connected women, local forest knowledge and global climate debates and included training, planting and exchanges.
Sudan turns to AI as health system struggles
Sudan’s health system is under severe strain after an almost two‑year civil war. A senior health official says the country is using artificial intelligence to help provide care where normal services no longer reach, while shortages and attacks worsen the crisis.
How mangroves survive saltwater
Scientists studied mangrove trees to learn why some plants tolerate repeated saltwater flooding. They found small cells and thicker cell walls help mangroves stay strong in salty, waterlogged conditions and suggest this could help make crops more salt-tolerant.