Includes bibliographical references (p. 207-231) and index.

Brief biography of Cecil C. Konijnendijk -- Introduction : Culture, landscape and forest ; The urban era ; Cities and trees ; Cities and forests ; City forests as cultural landscapes, place and space ; The city forest defined -- The spiritual forest : Ancient spiritual links between forests and people ; Forest and religion ; Forest and myths ; Modern spirituality ; Recreating spiritual links -- The forest of fear : Primeval forest fear ; Criminal forests ; Nature's danger ; From fear to excitement -- The fruitful forest : Subsistence forests ; Appropriation of city forest use ; City forests and societal development ; The rise of municipal forestry ; The fruitful forest toady -- The forest of power : From wooded commons to elitist prestige ; Military forests ; City forests and democratisation ; City forests and city image ; City forests and environmental justice -- The great escape : Antidote to the city ; Recreate and enjoy ; Window to the world ; New ways of escaping ; Different people, different escapes ; Escape from city rule -- A work of art : City forests as inspiration ; Designed landscapes ; Settings for art ; Art for development community-forests links -- The wild side of town : City forests and nature conservation ; Nature is in the eye of the beholder ; Searching for the urban wilderness ; Working with nature -- The healthy forest : Views on nature and health ; City forests and physical health ; City forests and mental health and well-being ; Promoting the health forest -- The forest of learning : City forests as testing grounds ; International inspiration ; Demonstrating forestry to the public ; City forests, nature education and children ; Tomorrow's forest of learning -- The social forest : From wooded commons to forests for all ; Social forests for mass use ; City forests as social stages ; Social forests and place making ; Building community identity -- A forest of conflict : Urban development conflicts ; Conflicts over forest management ; Recreation conflicts ; Other conflicts ; Managing the forest of conflict -- A forest for the future : Challenges in an urban era ; Developing attractive urban landscapes ; Building communities ; Maintaining the links with nature ; Final thoughts.

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