It is with profound sadness and deep respect that RSP marks the passing of Dr. Liu Thai Ker.
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.
Following an illustrious career in public service, Dr. Liu joined RSP in 1992 and left in 2017 to found Morrow Architects and Planners. His tenure with us marked a significant chapter in our firm’s history, where he successfully translated his visionary master planning principles into the private sector.
Dr. Liu’s passion for “intelligent planning” took Singapore’s expertise to the global stage. He led the planning of over fifty cities worldwide, championing the idea of sharing Singapore’s urban development experience with the world.
Just this past December, we were privileged to revisit these contributions at the “Liu Thai Ker: Intelligent Planning” exhibition. The showcase was a poignant reminder of his belief that a city must be scientifically planned yet artistically designed, a philosophy he instilled in many of us.
We are grateful for the wisdom he shared and the standards he set. 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.
In a book commemorating RSP’s 60th Anniversary, Dr. Liu wrote a reflection that perfectly captures the synergy between vision and execution, a sentiment we hold dear as we bid him farewell.
“Urban development is comparable to cooking. Planning is writing the recipe. I wish that someday soon, we can be given the opportunity to cook that recipe i.e. implement a master plan that I’ve designed. Both stages require skills that we have. It is important that a good recipe be cooked well. Likewise for masterplanning, if it is not implemented well, the city will probably be not very liveable.”
Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to Dr. Liu’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
Management and Staff of RSP
