Topos is a quarterly international review dedicated to landscape architecture and urban design, published from Munich, Germany. The magazine functions as an interdisciplinary platform addressing contemporary urban challenges through critical analysis and project documentation spanning global cities.
Each thematic issue examines specific urban topics in depth. Recent editions have focused on 15-minute cities, flood resilience, zero-waste concepts, and biophilic urbanism. The publication's scope extends beyond pure design aesthetics, investigating how urban icons inspire and displace communities, how architecture intersects with homelessness, and questions of equity in city development. A forthcoming issue examines "Urban Icons," interrogating celebrated landmarks and their contested meanings in an age of global branding and algorithmic tourism.
Topos positions itself as essential reading for landscape architects, urban planners, and designers worldwide. The magazine operates as a think tank exploring how cities can become more livable, sustainable, and inclusive. Its editorial approach balances admiration with critique, encouraging practitioners to engage with the built environment through historical depth and intellectual clarity rather than uncritical celebration.
The publication features case studies from diverse locations including Paris, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Vienna, Lisbon, and Mumbai. Beyond showcasing completed projects, Topos presents research, essays, and critical commentary on urban governance, mobility solutions, technological applications, and climate adaptation strategies. The magazine demonstrates particular interest in how communities—including marginalized populations—can be meaningfully included in urban development processes and how architecture might contribute to addressing systemic social challenges rather than serving purely aesthetic or commercial objectives.