"Father of Wah Fu Estate" Donald Liao dies at the age of 96
發佈日期: 2026-03-13 21:31
TVB News
Former Secretary for Housing Donald Liao Poon-huai, also known as the "Father of Wah Fu Estate," passed away yesterday at the age of 96.
Liao left his mark in Hong Kong's history by advocating the inclusion of private kitchens and toilets in public housing flats.
With a government career spanning some three decades, Donald Liao spent much of that time contributing to the construction of public housing units.
While serving as Director of Housing, Liao personally introduced the then-newly built Oi Man Estate to the visiting Queen Elizabeth from the UK in 1975. They also greeted local residents at the estate designed by Liao himself during his time as a government architect.
Born in Taiwan in 1929, Liao spent his years as a secondary school student in Hong Kong before graduating from HKU's Faculty of Architecture.
He joined the government in 1960 and went on to serve as Director of Housing and Secretary for Housing.
In 1953, Hong Kong saw the construction of its first resettlement area after the devastating Shek Kip Mei Fire, with public housing sites offering shared toilets and kitchens that brought about hygiene and privacy problems.
Liao advocated for public housing units to include their own private kitchens and toilets.
During his tenure, he designed public housing estates such as Wah Fu Estate, Ma Tau Wai Estate and Wo Lok Estate, always placing an emphasis on facilities and views available for tenants.
Completed in 1968, Wah Fu Estate became Liao's masterpiece, and was referred to as the ordinary people's luxury property for offering both mountainous and seaside views.
Liao later became the first Chinese Chief Secretary for District Administration in 1985 under the British colonial government, and served until his retirement in 1989.
Liao made perhaps his last public appearance in 2023 when he attended a Housing Authority event.
