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Topos — The International Review of Landscape Architecture and Urban Design, based in Munich, Germany, has received the ASLA's Award of Excellence in the communications category. The awards jury said of the independent, English-language publication: "We believe this is one of the best magazines for the profession in contemporary design — it certainly has had the most impact. It is on the forefront of so many issues. All landscape architects need to read this journal regularly."

Since 1992, Topos has published worldwide success stories — planning activities, urban design projects and concepts, and planning strategies for cities, urban regions and cultural landscapes. Past themed issues have focused on the topics of prospective landscapes, urban design, traffic, light, parks, and cultural landscapes.

By early 2007, Topos had a circulation of 4,200. It is reputed to be one of the most frequently stolen magazines in libraries. The journal also has an online presence.

Landmark in the Making

The ASLA's Landmark Award, cosponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, recognizes a distinguished landscape architecture project completed 15 to 50 years earlier that "retains its original design integrity and contributes significantly to the public realm of the community in which it is located."

The 2007 Landmark Award went to Charleston (South Carolina) Waterfront Park, designed by Sasaki Associates, Inc.

The jury commented: "Simple, elegant, urbane; it really works socially, is timeless, and is built to last. It jumpstarted the reclamation of downtown as we know it today and turned the city back to the water — just one instance of the exemplary public realm created over many years by Mayor Joe Riley."

Before 1980, Charleston's waterfront on the Cooper River had suffered from industrial misuse, environmental degradation, and abandonment. As the city's older port facilities became obsolete industrial activity moved away, but the marsh had been destroyed, and the waterfront had been given over to surface parking.

The park redevelopment created a public space with a design that withstands hurricanes and materials that tie into the historic character of the adjacent neighborhood. Shade trees, a brick-paved esplanade, and connections to the city have made the park popular among residents and visitors, and has contributed to the economic and cultural growth Charleston has experienced in the past 20 years.

More information about these projects, and about many other award recipients, can be found on the ASLA Web site. Founded in 1899, the ASLA is the national professional association for landscape architects, representing more than 17,000 members in 48 professional chapters and 68 student chapters.

The jury for the 2007 awards was chaired by Christopher Dimond, FASLA, of HNTB, and includes Warren T. Byrd, FASLA, Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects; William B. Calloway, FASLA, SWA Group; Adele Chatfield-Taylor, American Academy in Rome; Astrid Haryati, ASLA, City of Chicago; Richard Hawks, FASLA, State University of New York; Raymond Jungles, FASLA, Raymond Jungles, Inc.; Ketzel Levine, National Public Radio; Ken Smith, ASLA, Ken Smith Landscape Architecture; Bill Marken, Garden Design magazine; and William H. Tishler, FASLA, National Trust for Historic Preservation.

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Oak-shaded promenade of handmade local brick in the Charleston Waterfront Park, by Sasaki Associates, recipient of the ASLA's 2007 Landmark Award. Photo: Craig Kuhner Charleston Waterfront Park site plan. The city grid extends into the park making physical and visual connections to the Cooper River. Image: Sasaki Associates After a major clean-up and restoration, the natural estuarine environment of the Charleston Waterfront Park now flourishes. Photo: Sasaki Associates Vendue Plaza, with an interactive fountain and blue stone paving, is a landmark space celebrating the meeting of the Charleston city grid and the river. Photo: Craig Kuhner   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.