Naturalistic forest landscape in urban areas: challenges and solutions ILZE JANKOVSKA and INGA STRAUPE Forest Faculty, Latvia University of Agriculture Akademijas iela 11, Jelgava LATVIA e-mail: jankovskailze@inbox.lv , inga.straupe@llu.lv THOMAS PANAGOPOULOS Research Centre for Spatial and Organizational Dynamics (CIEO), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8000-139 Faro PORTUGAL e-mail: tpanago@ualg.pt Abstract: - Growing urbanization and rapid development of the cities create conflict situations between development of building areas and natural areas. A built environment represents a high level of intervention in the ecosystem, altering the landscape and disturbing the natural processes. In an urbanized society, urban green areas are important as a place for contact with nature. The main purpose of the presented study were to review the present situation concerning the management and condition of naturalistic forest landscapes in urban areas and to study the attitude of professionals towards naturalistic forest landscapes in the urban area of Riga city, Latvia. The survey includes the opinions of representatives of different fields from Riga municipality and other institutions related to ecological, practical, planning and conservation activities, and also private working landscape architects. The statistical analysis and data’s empirical distribution showed that professionals in Riga city recognize the values and benefits of naturalistic forest landscape. However, environmental preferences may depend more on affective reactions than on ecologically-based logical operations. Key-Words: - Landscape perception, naturalistic forest landscape, formal landscape, Riga city 1 Introduction The process of urbanization and metropolitan growth in 20th century was a consequence of rapid technological evolution, rising living standards, increased motorization as well as general well being [14]. Compact city policies has resulted in an increasing demand for land within city limits and demands to build on land allocated to green spaces [16]. This decreased the amount of green spaces as well as increased environmental degradation and land use change pressure on the remaining green areas. The outcomes of the rising standard of living and changing employment and lifestyle patterns – were accompanied by an ever-growing demand for outdoor recreation. Most of this demand is met by the open spaces, particularly of the ‘natural’ environment type [14]. For urban dwellers the main aspects that determine the amount of urban forest visits to satisfy the demand for contact with nature and recreation, are quantity and quality of these areas as well as their accessibility [16]. This study evaluates the aspects of the landscape approach in urban landscape planning, the necessity of sufficient ecological knowledge, resources, and skills for maintaining the functional green infrastructure and landscape, as well as the attitude of professionals to the naturalistic forest landscapes in urban area of Riga city, in contrast to a more traditional – formal landscape. 2 Landscape approach in urban planning The role of urban green spaces differs widely between European cities and towns due their different environmental and socio-cultural background. In Latvia, as in other countries of North Europe, the decline of nature throughout the twentieth century and the alienation between people and natural world were not so significant [16]. The region of northern European forest culture covering the Baltic States, Finland, Norway, and most of Sweden has certain similarities [8]. The forest is the significant element of everyday lives and a major element of the landscape and the recreational and aesthetic benefits of urban forest are traditionally important [17]. The last years the interest about design of naturalistic landscapes in urban area becomes more and more popular especially in countries of northern Europe, and the importance of ecological management has Latest Trends on Urban Planning and Transportation ISSN: 1792-4286 21 ISBN: 978-960-474-204-2