ILZE JANKOVSKA and INGA STRAUPE Forest Faculty, Latvia University of Agriculture Akademijas iela 11, Jelgava LATVIA jankovskailze@inbox.lv , inga.straupe@llu.lv THOMAS PANAGOPOULOS Research Centre for Spatial and Organizational Dynamics (CIEO), University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 80007139 Faro PORTUGAL e7mail: tpanago@ualg.pt Urban forests are unique and highly valued resources. In recent years, attention has been drawn to the fact that now more than half of the world's population live in urban areas. Like many parts of Europe, Riga is urbanizing rapidly creating conflict situations between development of building areas and natural areas. The consequent loss and degradation of urban forests could adversely affect ecosystems as well as human well7being and cause negative externalities e.g. the loss of non7priced benefits. The aim of this paper is 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 significant differences in attitudes between professional groups of managers and planners to the statements about natural renewal, freedom, contact with nature, sustainable development strategy, management cost and direct participation from the local community. Landscape perception, urban forest, public awareness, urban planning, green infrastructure, Riga, Latvia Forests produce several non7timber products, like mushrooms, berries, medicinal herbs, and alike. They also provide other services to society, like attractive landscapes, erosion prevention, hydrological regulation, biodiversity preservation, etc [1, 2]. Urban forests are universally valued as amenity7recreation places, wildlife refuges and considered essential elements for sustainable city contributing to the quality of urban life. According to Jim and Chen [3], urban forests can create significant ecosystem services, such as CO 2 sequestration, removing air pollutants, regulating the microclimate, and recreation. These ecosystem services contribute to improving environmental quality, quality of life, and sustainable urban development. The process of rapid urbanization and metropolitan growth in 20th century was a consequence of technological evolution, rising living standards, increased motorization as well as general well being [4]. Compact city policies has resulted in an increasing demand for land within city limits and demands to build on land allocated to green spaces [5]. 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 ever7growing demand for outdoor recreation. Most of this demand is met by the urban forest spaces, particularly of the ‘natural’ environment type [4]. 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 [5]. The naturalistic landscapes are cheaper to create and maintain than horticultural areas and therefore be more viable in the context of local authority budgets [6]. The loss and degradation of urban forests cause negative externalities e.g. the loss of non7priced benefits according to Tyrväinen and Väänänen [7], WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on ENVIRONMENT and DEVELOPMENT Ilze Jankovska, Inga Straupe, Thomas Panagopoulos ISSN: 1790-5079 614 Issue 8, Volume 6, August 2010