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Emotional, Physical/Functional and Symbolic Aspects of an Urban Forest in Denmark to Nearby Residents

The decision by the Danish government to double the area of forestlands in a tree generation has prompted researchers to explore more thoroughly the significance of forests to people. In 2003, an exploratory, qualitative case study with in-depth interviews with 10% of the households next to an urban forest in a suburb in Denmark was conducted to investigate the emotional aspects of visiting a forested environment, the types of physical/functional activities pursued and the symbolic connotations of the forest. The research shows that the forest serves as a refuge for recharging at the emotional level, as a place for exercising more than for picnics functionally, and as nature more than a park symbolically. Afforestation is considered desirable in order to provide experiences of nature, especially for children. Based on these findings, implications for urban forest planning and management and for future research are discussed.