Lianhe Zaobao -新加坡城市规划之父刘太格逝世 享年87岁 Liu Thai Ker.........RIP

[Can Or Not]

Up to his son to propose 15m

Double decker MRT can lah….

 

[hoolala]

He is the one who proposed 10M and then keep bringing it up, so gahment gotta keep coming out and clear the air.

And u confirm he was not asked to be test balloon?

 

[Ethan_]

He is the one who proposed 10M and then keep bringing it up, so gahment gotta keep coming out and clear the air.

Is it? Thought incumbent like working towards that goal of sort?

 

[Mechafanboy]

Uplorried before he can see his vision fulfilled.... Sad....

 

[Ethan_]

And u confirm he was not asked to be test balloon?

Think its a feasiblity study of sort right? If not why go through the effort.

 

[lastsamurai]

87 ripe old age, had a good life, RIP

 

[JustForFun]

Traitors and traitorship many many ?

 

[Apparatus]

So that 10m population thing still stands or boh liao?

 

[hardindex]

very short-sighted person, his failure to consider UHI in many towns in SG.


You’ve touched on a very real critique of Singapore’s urban planning legacy — the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect.





What the UHI Effect Means

• The UHI effect occurs when built-up areas trap heat due to dense concrete, asphalt, and limited greenery.
• In Singapore, this manifests as higher night-time temperatures, reduced wind flow, and increased reliance on air-conditioning.
• Studies show that parts of Singapore can be 2–4°C hotter than surrounding rural or coastal areas because of this effect.

Liu Thai Ker’s Planning vs. UHI

• Liu Thai Ker’s housing and town planning emphasized high-density concrete blocks to maximize land use efficiency.
• While this solved the housing crisis and created integrated towns, critics argue it prioritized efficiency over environmental cooling.
• At the time (1970s–1990s), climate adaptation was not yet a mainstream planning concern, so UHI mitigation wasn’t central to his designs.

Later Corrective Measures


Singapore has since pivoted strongly to address UHI:

• Greenery integration: Vertical gardens, rooftop greenery, park connectors.
• Cooling urban design: Wider streets, ventilation corridors, reflective materials.
• Singapore Green Plan 2030: Explicit targets for tree planting and sustainable infrastructure.
• Nature-based solutions: Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park’s river naturalization, Marina Barrage’s water catchment doubling as recreation.

Balanced Perspective

• Liu Thai Ker’s contribution was nation-building through housing — without his concrete-heavy approach, Singapore might not have solved its housing crisis.
• But yes, the environmental side effects (UHI, reduced biodiversity, heat stress) became apparent later, requiring new generations of planners to adapt.
• In hindsight, his work reflects the trade-off between urgent housing needs and long-term environmental sustainability.

Would you like me to map out how Singapore’s current cooling strategies (like tree canopy expansion and reflective materials) directly counteract the UHI effect created by earlier concrete-heavy planning? That would show how the city is actively correcting the imbalance left by Liu’s era.


n

 

[focus1974]

He supported the 10m plan.

of course ..
he wont see the day of it mah..
and more population equal more property appreciation ..

his level should have multiple properties and big and expensive ones too.

 

[1982-1994]

dont know his achievement but f him for his 10m idea
No f given

 

[hardindex]

Absolutely — ancient Roman design is a fascinating case study in passive cooling and climate adaptation. While Liu Thai Ker’s concrete-heavy approach in Singapore amplified the Urban Heat Island effect, Roman builders often integrated cooling strategies directly into their architecture and urban layouts.





Cooling Features in Roman Design

• Aqueducts & Fountains
  • Water was central to Roman cities. Aqueducts supplied public fountains and baths, which not only provided drinking water but also cooled the surrounding air through evaporation.
  • Piazza fountains acted like natural “air conditioners” in open spaces.
• Thermal Mass & Thick Walls
  • Roman buildings used stone, brick, and concrete with high thermal mass, absorbing heat during the day and releasing it slowly at night.
  • This stabilized indoor temperatures, reducing extremes.
• Atriums & Courtyards
  • Houses (domus) often had open-air courtyards with shaded colonnades.
  • These spaces promoted airflow and created cooler microclimates inside homes.
• Orientation & Ventilation
  • Roman architects carefully oriented buildings to maximize shade and cross-ventilation.
  • Windows and openings were strategically placed to channel breezes.
• Baths & Cooling Pools
  • Public baths (thermae) weren’t just for hygiene — cold pools (frigidarium) offered relief from heat.
  • Their large halls with vaulted ceilings also encouraged air circulation.
• Urban Layout

• Roman streets were often narrow and shaded, reducing direct solar exposure.
• Arcades and porticos provided shaded walkways for pedestrians.

Lessons for Modern Cities

• Romans understood that water, shade, and airflow were essential for livability in hot climates.
• Modern planners in Singapore and elsewhere are rediscovering these principles — integrating green corridors, water features, and shaded walkways to counteract UHI.
• In a way, Rome’s passive cooling strategies anticipated today’s climate-resilient urban design.

Would you like me to compare Roman cooling strategies with Singapore’s current Green Plan 2030 measures (like tree canopy expansion and park connectors)? That would show how ancient wisdom and modern sustainability converge.



Never consider people, his designs only squeeze more people and completely ignore comfort. Terrible in his job really

 

[mcylo]

He So rich. Plenty of space in his big freehold landed somewhere in spacious D9 for sure.

在有钱也带不进棺材

 

[Kiwi8]

He is the one who proposed 10M and then keep bringing it up, so gahment gotta keep coming out and clear the air.

It is not that simple.

More like he was the gahmen's test balloon, gahmen always will want a higher population as long as they do not get too big backlash in the polls.

Look at the uproar over the Population White Paper at that time, PAP shrank their balls for the moment. Now voters are oblivious that the population is increasing towards the level prescribed in the Population White Paper again.

 

[white_prince]

An era ended, we should abandon this project

 

[mcylo]

After covid, many elderly pass away.

aiyo, they old in the first place mah. so statistically will die first

 

[sciprof]

Now is aiming 20mil. Take mrt need to squat on eachother

 

[bombshell]

It's better to plan for 10m then not have a plan.
Since we are heading to 10m either way and the planner has died, GG to us all.
RIP.

 

[Litmuss]

Good riddance.

End of his despicable dream of planning for 10 million population when it’s clearly unsustainable.

 

[mcylo]

so many ppls dislike him. Some even curse him.