Liu Thai Ker

At MORROW, we honour the life and legacy of Dr Liu Thai Ker – our founder, mentor and inspiration. His vision, integrity, and care for people shaped not only the cities around us, but also the principles that continue to guide how we work, think, and envision the future of our urban environment.

Dr Liu’s belief that cities exist for the people, and that planning is an act of responsibility, infused every project he touched, from Singapore’s public housing to international urban planning projects. Working closely with Singapore’s Founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Dr Liu oversaw the creation of more than 20 new towns and over 500,000 homes in Singapore as the CEO of the Housing & Development Board (HDB) from 1979–1989. Together with his team, he designed spaces that encouraged residents to meet, interact, and foster a sense of community, quietly nurturing the “kampung spirit” in an era of modernisation.

As CEO and Chief Planner of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) from 1989–1992, Dr Liu championed long-term thinking and the preservation of our local heritage. Leading his team to devise Singapore’s first Conservation Master Plan, he dedicated special effort to conserve beloved historical and cultural districts such as Chinatown, Kampong Glam, and Little India. He believed that a city’s memory is as important as its growth, and that progress should build on identity, culture, and continuity.

“For Singapore and for cities I plan, I look for the design gene of that locality, to give it its unique character…We must protect our own heritage; they are very, very unique.”

—Dr Liu Thai Ker, TED Talk March 2021, The architectural mastermind behind modern Singapore

Dr Liu’s commitment to human-centred planning extended far beyond Singapore. He shaped over 50 cities in China, from Fuzhou to Xi’an, insisting that development respected local history, culture, and community.

His planning expertise and philosophy quickly gained recognition and respect from leaders and government officials in numerous cities and regions across China. Mr Xi Jinping, serving as the Fuzhou Party Secretary at the time, invited Dr Liu to design the Fuzhou Changle International Airport after seeing his work for the Fuzhou Central District Master Plan in 1986.

From there, Dr Liu went on to help lead urban planning efforts for multiple cities in China, including:

• Jieyang City Strategic Masterplan & Huilai County Concept Plan and Urban Design
• Nansha Hub Area in Nansha District, Guangzhou
• Huidong “Twin Centers” Strategic Development Plan and Double-Crescent Bay Urban Design
• Dongmeng ASEAN Industrial City (AIC)
• Chengdu Eastern New City Strategic Spatial Development Plan

He held 52 advisory appointments in China, from 1987–2000, supporting over 60 urban planning and urban design projects throughout the country.

In 2023, he extended his vision globally through the Strategic Spatial Master Plan for Viti Levu, Fiji. His humanist approach transcended borders, as he took the time to fully understand and process not only the geographical landscapes but also the cultural contexts of each and every region he planned for.

Architecture and urban planning were never purely technical exercises for Dr Liu – they were acts of service to the people, from the bottom of his heart. His projects in Singapore, including the China Cultural Centre, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Campus, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, and NUS Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, reflect not just creativity and precision, but his unwavering belief that design should elevate people’s everyday lives.

Dr Liu once said: “To plan a city, you just have to remember three things: to have the mind of a scientist, the heart of a humanist and the eyes of an artist.”

When he later founded MORROW in 2017, this philosophy continued to serve as his compass, as he created a space to instil a culture of responsibility, curiosity, and care for the communities we serve here at MORROW.

His drive to continue imparting his knowledge on new generations of urban planners and architects is reflected in his choice to translate MORROW to “墨睿”, meaning “ink with wisdom”. Despite reaching the age of 87, Dr Liu never stopped in his journey of mentorship and teaching, continuing to share freely with students, professionals and the public, both in Singapore and around the world.

Dr Liu Thai Ker leaves behind more than buildings and plans. His life was a testament to the humility and generosity which he showed to every single person – leading not only with his expertise, but with integrity, patience, and a quiet assurance in his planning philosophy.

At MORROW, we will honour him by continuing to uphold the principles he lived by, using them to guide our mission to shape sustainable, liveable and beautiful cities for our shared urban future.

Thank you, Dr Liu.

From the team at MORROW Architects & Planners — You will be loved, missed, and remembered.