Approach city design with the mind of a scientist

28 Sep 2023 CW Team

After his public service, Dr Liu served as Senior Director at RSP Architects, Planners & Engineers until 2017. In 2017, he founded Morrow Architects & Planners and serves as its Chairman. His impressive portfolio includes 18 architectural projects in Singapore and 15 architectural and 109 urban planning projects for an accumulated number of 250 million people in 15 countries, 60 cities worldwide.

In an exclusive conversation with SHRIYAL SETHUMADHAVAN during his recent visit to India in Mumbai, Dr Liu shares his vision for cities, cultural and environmental preservation, intelligent urban planning, public housing provision, and imparts advice for city design.

How have career milestones shaped your views on urban planning and architecture?
Each milestone has left a lasting impact on my approach to urban planning and architecture. Let me delve into a few key moments. Back in time, when I returned to Singapore and joined the Housing and Development Board, I encountered the government’s vision of building New Towns, a concept imported from the West. However, the term “New Town” was often used without a clear definition, leading to confusion. I realised the importance of understanding these terms to avoid causing harm to people. Additionally, I became fascinated with the concept of a “Highly Self-Sufficient New Town”, which emphasised providing comprehensive facilities within a New Town, thus improving the quality of life and reducing the need for extensive travel. For both challenges, I work with my colleagues to produce well documented specifications to guide planning and development.

Your next big infra connection is waiting at RAHSTA 2025 – Asia’s Biggest Roads & Highways Expo, Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Don’t miss out!

Meet Dr Liu Thai Ker, an 85-year-old architect and the Father of Urban Planning in Singapore.He is not just an architect planner but also an artist who travels the world, capturing the essence of cities through his sketches of historical buildings. During his 23-year civil service career, Dr Liu served as Chief Architect and CEO at the Housing and Development Board, contributing significantly to Singapore’s public housing and the ‘Home Ownership for All’ policy. He later became Chief Planner and CEO at the Urban Redevelopment Authority, spearheaded the creation of Singapore’s 1991 Concept Plan as well as the conservation guideline.After his public service, Dr Liu served as Senior Director at RSP Architects, Planners & Engineers until 2017. In 2017, he founded Morrow Architects & Planners and serves as its Chairman. His impressive portfolio includes 18 architectural projects in Singapore and 15 architectural and 109 urban planning projects for an accumulated number of 250 million people in 15 countries, 60 cities worldwide.In an exclusive conversation with SHRIYAL SETHUMADHAVAN during his recent visit to India in Mumbai, Dr Liu shares his vision for cities, cultural and environmental preservation, intelligent urban planning, public housing provision, and imparts advice for city design.How have career milestones shaped your views on urban planning and architecture?Each milestone has left a lasting impact on my approach to urban planning and architecture. Let me delve into a few key moments. Back in time, when I returned to Singapore and joined the Housing and Development Board, I encountered the government’s vision of building New Towns, a concept imported from the West. However, the term “New Town” was often used without a clear definition, leading to confusion. I realised the importance of understanding these terms to avoid causing harm to people. Additionally, I became fascinated with the concept of a “Highly Self-Sufficient New Town”, which emphasised providing comprehensive facilities within a New Town, thus improving the quality of life and reducing the need for extensive travel. For both challenges, I work with my colleagues to produce well documented specifications to guide planning and development.

Infrastructure Urban

10 Sep 2025

BHEL shares up 3% on 10-year hydrogen fuel cell pact

Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) shares rose over 3% recently after the company signed a 10-year exclusive memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Singapore-based Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies. The partnership marks BHEL’s entry into the hydrogen fuel cell market.Under the agreement, both companies will jointly develop hydrogen fuel cell-powered rolling stock and collaborate on business sharing and operations. The move is expected to strengthen BHEL’s presence in clean energy and sustainable transport.Earlier this month, BHEL also signed a License Agreement for Transfer of Technology (LAToT..

Real Estate

10 Sep 2025

Interio by Godrej Unveils Strategy to Double Revenue in 3 Years

Interio by Godrej, a leading furniture brand from the Godrej Enterprises Group, has unveiled its refreshed brand identity as a one-stop destination for modern Indian living across homes and workspaces. The repositioning is anchored on design-led innovation, an enhanced omnichannel experience, and a future-ready product portfolio. Nyrika Holkar, Executive Director, Godrej Enterprises Group, said: “Our aim is to make great design accessible. As industry leaders, we are uniquely placed to deliver on this promise with our end-to-end solutions from design and manufacturing to retail and serv..

Equipment

10 Sep 2025

Govt plans Rs 16k cr boost for construction equipment sector

The Centre is finalising an incentive package worth Rs 14,000–16,000 crore to promote domestic manufacturing of heavy construction equipment, including tunnel boring machines (TBMs), cranes and specialised rigs, reported The Economic Times. The move aims to reduce reliance on imports and support India’s infrastructure growth.Inter-ministerial discussions are underway, with the scheme expected to be launched in the next financial year. Nearly half of India’s construction and mining equipment components are currently imported, largely from China, Japan, South Korea and Germany.Industry lea..