On YU Kongjian: A Constructive Postmodernism Approach Towards Ecological Civilization
Jay McDANIEL, John Boswell COBB Jr., Xiao PENG
On YU Kongjian: A Constructive Postmodernism Approach Towards Ecological Civilization
On May 29, the 2021 John Cobb Common Good Award presented online was awarded to Yu Kongjian, professor of College of Architecture and Landscape of Peking University. This award is one of the highest honors in the field of Ecological Philosophy offered throughout the world. In the award ceremony, Dr. Jay McDaniel gave a speech to summarize Yu’s ideas and practices; and other scholars, including John Boswell Cobb Jr. also commented on Yu’s works. This article is a record and supplement of the speech and these comments. The speakers showed that Yu’s works reflect an approach they call “constructive postmodernism,” which combines poetic modern ways of living with wisdom from the past, pointing toward a greener and more habitable future. In light of the current ecological crisis, the speakers proposed that Yu’s Landscape Architecture is indeed “an art of survival.” In the spirit of constructive postmodernism, Yu combines traditional knowledge with a forward-looking attitude, helping to design a more promising future for humanity and the Earth. This essay explores ways that the idea of ecological civilization can “come down to earth” through shifts in attitude towards planning, designing, and aesthetic appreciation, showing how Yu’s thoughts and explorations will help China establish its leading role in the world’s transformation toward global ecological civilization.
John Cobb Common Good Award / Landscape Architecture / Constructive Postmodernism / Ecological Civilization
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