Profile

Dr Liu Thai-Ker is an architect-planner. Since 1992, he has been Director of RSP Architects Planners & Engineers Pte Ltd., a consultant firm of over 1,600 people, with 12 overseas offices and projects in 18 countries.

Dr Liu is concurrently the Founding Chairman of Centre for Liveable Cities since 2008. The Centre is a knowledge hub created jointly by the Ministry of National Development and the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.

Dr Liu has served as the Adjunct Professor of the School of Design and Environment and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. He is also the Adjunct Professor in the College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University. He is a member of several governmental bodies in Singapore, and planning advisor to around 30 cities in China.

As Architect-Planner and Chief Executive Officer of the Housing & Development Board, 1969-1989, he oversaw the completion of over half a million dwelling units.

As Chief Executive Officer and Chief Planner of Urban Redevelopment Authority, 1989-1992, he spearheaded the major revision of the Singapore Concept Plan and key direction for heritage conservation.

In the cultural arena, he served as the Chairman of the National Arts Council from 1996 to June 2005; and Singapore Tyler Print Institute from 2000 to 2009. He served as the chairperson of the External Review Panel, Arts Quality Framework appointed by the Ministry of Education in 2009 and a founding member of the Board of Trustees, Arts & Culture Development Fund, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts in 2010.

Dr Liu obtained his Bachelor of Architecture with First Class Honours and University Medal from the University of N.S.W. in 1962 and Master in City Planning with Parson’s Memorial Medal from Yale University in 1965. He later attended INSEAD Advanced Management Program in Paris in 1980. In 1995, he was conferred Doctor of Science honoris causa by the University of New South Wales.

Among his awards are the Public Administration Medal (Gold) 1976, the Meritorious Service Medal 1985, Singapore Institute of Architects Gold Medal and the Medal of the City of Paris, France in 2001. In 1993, he was bestowed the 2nd Asean Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to Architecture.