Visualization and landscape laboratories in planning, design and management of urban woodlands

Although participatory approaches are increasingly used in planning and management of urban woodlands, efficient tools are also needed to make the processes work. In urban forest planning impacts of proposed management regimes on aesthetic and recreational values are among the factors that interest the local residents the most. This article explores two potential methods for improving collaborative urban forest planning and design in Europe, based primarily on experience gained in the Nordic countries. The methods relate to the use of (i) computer-based visualization methods and (ii) demonstration forests and landscape laboratories. We suggest that use of both methods may lead to a major enhancement in forest planning and design.