Thai Ker Liu

Liu Thai Ker is an architect, master planner, Head of RSP Architects Planners & Engineers, Chairman of the Centre for Livable Cities. He headed the Singapore Housing & Development Board in 1969-1989. He acted as a Head and a Chief Planner of the Singapore Replanning Department in 1989-1992, where he spearheaded the major revision of the Singapore Concept Plan. He obtained a bachelor's degree from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, in 1962 and then proceeded with his education at Yale University. He obtained a Honorary Doctorate from Yake University in 1995. Upon graduating, Thai Ker gained a vast working experience at the leading architecture firms of Australia and America to then return to Singapore. He started his civil service in Singapore, working at the Residental Planning Department, where he oversaw the implementation of more than half a million dwelling units, and then at the Urban Development Department. While heading these Departments, Thai Ker influenced heavily the city's planning concept - he developed the city's master plan, encouraged the preservation of its historical heritage, worked on the design and the aesthetic of new buildings and developed innovative engineering solutions tailored for public housing. Thai Ket is the son of Singapore's famous artist and wields a significant authority in the field of architecture and planning and also local art. He presides over the National Arts Council and oversees various art programmes under the Ministry of Information, Communications and Arts.