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Cheong Koon Hean

Chief Executive Officer
Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)

Mrs Cheong-Chua Koon Hean was appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) in 2004 and is concurrently the Deputy Secretary (Special Duties) in the Ministry of National Development, Singapore.

Mrs Cheong graduated with degrees in Bachelor of Science (Architecture)(with Merit) and Bachelor of Architecture (1st Class Honours) from Australia. She was also conferred the University Gold Medal and the Royal Australian Institute of Architects Prize. She subsequently attained a Masters degree in Urban Development Planning from University College London. She has also completed the Advanced Management Programme in Harvard Business School.

Mrs Cheong has extensive experience in urban policy and governance, strategic planning, urban design and conservation in her career with the URA. As CEO(URA), she is in charge of the national land use planning of Singapore, the conservation of built heritage and the real estate market. She oversees the preparation of the strategic long term Concept Plan and Master Plan, and is a key driver of major urban transformation projects, such as Marina Bay, as well as various sustainability initiatives. She initiated the Architecture and Urban Design Excellence Programme and is involved in several design panels of significant projects. She was appointed the Chairman of the jury panel for the President's Design Award in 2006 and a member of the Nominating Committee of the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize in 2009.

In URA, Mrs Cheong started the URA International Group in order to share Singapore's planning experience overseas. She advises on projects such as the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco City Project. She was also the Co-Chair of the expert panel in the assessment of urban design plans for this project. Mrs Cheong is currently a board member of the Urban Redevelopment Authority, Jurong Town Corporation, Jurong Port Pte Ltd as well as the National Heritage Board. She is also a Board Trustee of the international Urban Land Institute and a fellow member of the Singapore Institute of Architects. Mrs Cheong was conferred the Public Administration Medal (Gold) in 2005 and Public Administration Medal (Silver) in 1997 by the President of the Republic of Singapore.