The author paints a personal and often critical image of three cities — those, which he is the most familiar with and which are particularly dear and close to him. Despite being familiar with tens of the most renowned cities in the world, the author has selected fully familial examples, which he has had and continues to have personal ties. Throughout their histories, they have been subjected to dramatic events. In terms of spatial creation, they underwent — and continue to undergo-fluid, hybrid, ambivalent and often controversial transformation. They have also been treated implicitly, as subjectively-presented models of cities in general — as well as of their fate and evolution. The author considers the city to be — perhaps — the greatest expression of human culture and civilisation.
The paper presents an original introduction to the forty-fifth volume of the yearbook. Volume number, and above all, the date of its publication, Anno Domini 2017, give it an honor of jubilee edition, which creates a good opportunity to recall the history of the magazine. The work also includes short introductions to some articles.