A towering authority in the cityscape

Urban planner whose work transformed the landscape of the Garden City holds great sway in Singapore and beyond

Liu Thai Ker speaks softly, his bearing alone exuding the considerable weight of his authority. His profound influence in town planning as head of Singapore's Housing Development Board and Urban Redevelopment Authority is well known, and many regard the 78-year-old as the father of urban landscaping in the country.

And Singapore being a city-state, Liu's experience has been eagerly tapped by many Chinese cities whose mayors have looked beyond national borders in an effort to renew and transform their cities through urban planning.