Audrey de Nazelle and Nicole Cowell
September 5, 2024
Kongjian Yu, a renowned landscape architect, has been awarded the 2023 Oberlander Prize for his innovative "sponge city" designs. These groundbreaking concepts, inspired by traditional Chinese water management practices, aim to transform cities into resilient ecosystems that can effectively absorb and manage stormwater, mitigating the risk of flooding.
Yu's sponge city concept draws inspiration from the meandering irrigation systems and village ponds that once characterized China's rural landscape. These natural systems effectively slowed down and retained water, preventing flooding and preserving biodiversity.
Yu's sponge city designs replicate these natural processes, incorporating permeable pavements, graceful gardens, elegant wetlands, and underground water storage tanks. These elements work together to absorb excess stormwater, purify water, and replenish groundwater, creating a more resilient urban landscape.
Audrey de Nazelle and Nicole Cowell
September 5, 2024
Lisa Chamberlain
August 21, 2024
Kate Whiting
August 20, 2024
Lisa Chamberlain
July 25, 2024
Madeleine North
July 24, 2024
Natalie Marchant and Julie Masiga
July 19, 2024