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Singapore's homes 'stand as quiet testament' to his vision: PM Wong leads tributes to master planner Liu Thai Ker
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Singapore

Singapore's homes 'stand as quiet testament' to his vision: PM Wong leads tributes to master planner Liu Thai Ker

"Singapore is better because of Thai Ker’s service," Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in his tribute.

Singapore's homes 'stand as quiet testament' to his vision: PM Wong leads tributes to master planner Liu Thai Ker

Award-winning architect and urban planner Liu Thai Ker was Singapore's chief planner between 1989 and 1992. (Photo: Liu Thai Ker)

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Emil Chan
Emil Chan
18 Jan 2026 08:33PM (Updated: 19 Jan 2026 07:17PM)
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SINGAPORE: Tributes have poured in for Singapore’s former chief planner Liu Thai Ker, who died on Sunday (Jan 18) at the age of 87.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in a Facebook post that he was deeply saddened by Dr Liu’s death, recalling "valued" conversations during his time at the Ministry of National Development (MND).
 
"He often said that to build a city, one must have the heart of a humanist, the mind of a scientist, and the eye of an artist," said Mr Wong, who was National Development Minister from 2015 to 2020.
 
"These ideals ran through his life’s work. The buildings, homes and public spaces that Singaporeans use every day stand as a quiet testament to his dedication and vision. Singapore is better because of Thai Ker’s service."
 
Mr Wong also noted how Dr Liu, widely regarded as the "Father of Urban Planning in Singapore", played a key role in shaping the 1991 Concept Plan and advancing conservation efforts, “laying the structural foundations that continue to guide how we plan and build our city today”. 
 
That plan articulated a "bold vision" of an island city, where nature, water bodies and urban development were seamlessly woven together. 
 
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, in a Facebook post, thanked the former chief architect and chief executive of the Housing and Development Board (HDB) for his deep and lasting contributions to the country, praising how he "helped make Singapore a liveable city in the tropics". 
 
Recounting Dr Liu's modest beginnings, Mr Tharman noted that his life "could have taken very different paths".  
 
"Born in 1938 in Muar, Johor, Thai Ker’s ‘bed’ consisted of wood held together by wobbly, galvanised iron strips and nails. He wanted to take after his father, the pioneering artist Liu Kang. Due to his mother's objections, he studied architecture instead," he said. 
 
Mr Tharman expressed admiration for how Dr Liu remained active through his 70s and 80s, contributing to urban planning in more than 50 cities overseas, from Chengdu and Ningbo in China to Al Qadimah in Saudi Arabia and Kazan in Russia. 
 
"Till the end, he remained convinced that making the city better would raise the quality of life and people’s spirits. That will remain Dr Liu Thai Ker’s legacy," the president added. 
 
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Dr Liu had made "extraordinary contributions to Singapore's physical environment".
 
In a Facebook post, he added that Dr Liu "had an astute eye for architectural design and detail, and was always willing to share his gifts and speak his mind".
 
His bold vision and architectural gifts shaped Singapore’s cityscape, Mr Lee said.
 
"They have helped our small island state create the space for our economy to grow, and for our people to live, work, and play in harmony."
 
Mr Lee added that the nation mourns the "loss of one of Singapore’s sons", and extended his condolences to Dr Liu's family.
 
Describing Dr Liu as a pioneering figure in Singapore’s housing and urban development journey, Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat said in a Facebook post that he was deeply saddened by his death. 
 
Mr Chee noted that during Dr Liu’s tenure at HDB and later as chief executive of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), he played a pivotal role in shaping Singapore’s public housing programme and long-term urban planning framework. 
 
At HDB, Dr Liu led the development of 20 new towns and oversaw the implementation of more than half a million public housing units. 
 
"Dr Liu devoted his life to building our nation, with quality homes, strong communities and beautiful living spaces," said Mr Chee. 
 
"Beyond Singapore, Dr Liu’s influence extended across the region and the world. Through his work in many overseas cities, he shared Singapore’s experience in urban planning, sustainability and liveability, helping many rapidly growing cities plan for their future." 
 
Mr Chee also recalled how Dr Liu had spoken with "clarity and conviction" about Singapore’s urban future during their meeting about two weeks ago, sharing his ideas and reflections on how to build the city better. 
 
"This is a testament to his lifelong dedication to public service and this country he cared so deeply about," the minister said. 
 
"Dr Liu Thai Ker’s legacy will live on in the beautiful neighbourhoods we call home, this dynamic garden city we are proud of, and the generations of people whom he has inspired over the years."
21:52 Min
There is no maximum size for a city’s population, even the booming megacities of Asia. It is all a matter of clever planning – and looking ahead 100 years. So claims Dr Liu Thai Ker, Chairman of Morrow Architects.

"SKETCHED THE BLUEPRINT"

Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan said Dr Liu’s death marked the loss of "a giant" for Singapore.

“Standing beside him, you couldn't help but feel the weight of history. This is the man who looked at our early struggles and saw the potential for the Singapore we know today,” said Mr Tan on Facebook.

“He sketched the blueprint for our housing and our city centre, driven by a belief that Singaporeans deserved the best living environment possible."

Mr Tan added that despite his achievements as an architect of Singapore’s modern landscape, Dr Liu remained deeply passionate and insightful, and that this humility had “served as an example and inspiration” for him.

MP Nadia Ahmad Samdin, a member of MND’s Government Parliamentary Committee, recounted Dr Liu’s charm and “quiet, refined cadence” during an interview she conducted with him in 2016, when she was a producer.

Former Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo also called Dr Liu a “great man whose handprints are found all over Singapore, China and beyond", while jazz maestro Jeremy Monteiro remembered how Dr Liu was "always kind" to him and was often at his performances, both concerts and smaller club gigs.

China's ambassador to Singapore, Cao Zhongming, said the passing of Dr. Liu was a "tremendous loss to the cultural exchanges between China and Singapore".

Dr Liu had a "profound and inseparable bond" with China, Mr Cao said, adding that he and his colleagues at the embassy mourn Dr Liu's passing.

He was the building designer of the Chinese Embassy in Singapore and the China Cultural Centre in Singapore, he added. He also served as a member of the cultural centre's executive board.

"He was always a witness to and practitioner of the friendship between China and Singapore."

"INTELLIGENT PLANNING"

Dr Liu's former design practice RSP Architects Engineers & Planners said it was grateful for the wisdom he shared and the standards he set. 

Dr Liu joined the international architectural design firm in 1992 where he was its senior director till 2017. 

"It is with profound sadness and deep respect that RSP marks the passing of Dr Liu," said the firm on Monday.  
 
"While the nation mourns him as the 'Father of Urban Planning' and the architect of modern Singapore, we also mourn the loss of a former director, a mentor, and a cherished colleague."

The design firm said Dr Liu's tenure at RSP marked a significant chapter in its history, where he successfully translated his visionary master planning principles into the private sector.

It credited Dr Liu's passion for "intelligent planning" with taking Singapore’s expertise to the global stage, noting that he led the planning of over fifty cities worldwide. 

"We remember him not just for the skylines he shaped, but for his dedication to liveability and his firm belief in the power of good design to improve lives," it said. 

Source: CNA/ec(sn)

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