Author(s):
1. Sanja Grubic, Greece
2. Ljiljana Dosenovic, Faculty of Forestry, University of Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
3. Marijana Kapovic Solomun, Faculty of Forestry, University of Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract:
Urban forests are key elements of green infrastructure and provide basic ecosystem services. They contain segments of recreational, social and medical aspects of the life of inhabitants-users of forest benefits. Likewise they make the connection between forestry and architecture, giving the final shape to the urban landscape. Today's development of cities is characterized by an increase in construction, whereby economic factors has the main influence on the urban structure, the representation of green spaces, and in addition to their functional and ecological justification. In this paper, forest complexes will be regarded as a spatial category on the example of the case study of the industrial settlement Ljubija. The ultimate goal is to give a qualitative review of the effectiveness of the urban forest system and the opportunities for the future development of green infrastructure. The research was carried out by an inductive method, where the synthesis of various scientific methods and the obtained results resulted in the final conclusion. The methods used are: Research work on collecting data on the historical development of the Ljubija region and the record of all relevant data on the natural characteristics of the area; Mapping and analysis of park and urban greenery, as well as the greenery of the Industrial zone of the mine, with analysis of geological and vegetational characteristics; Theoretical research, analysis and valorization of the city structure, green infrastructure and social needs of inhabitants of the narrow and wider area.Contextual issues also relate to the research of the historical development of the economy and industry of Ljubija. Research in this paper suggests that the functions of urban forests as planned categories do not have adequate treatment in Republic of Srpska's spatial, regional and urban projects. The definition and evaluation of such important structural systems as the forest complexes in our country are significantly lagging behind the new approaches that are present in the world. Uncertainty at the level of urban plans precludes concrete actions in terms of better regulation of urban forests, which makes it difficult to see the future of the sustainable development of these areas. Urban forestry in our country is still unfairly neglected, and it suffers from the influence of classical forestry and urbanism, and there is a constant conflict between economic use and wider public use. As an imperative we must look for new solutions in achieving qualitative as well as quantitative changes in the representation, way of using and arrangement of forest complexes in the green matrix system of Ljubija. The closing of the mine and the radical change in the economic structure led to the reduction and abandonment of industrial production capacities, creating large spatial resources and inactive traffic corridors. The results of the research indicate the possibility of transforming abandoned industrial sites into green infrastructure. That would emphasize the ecological, economic and health benefits of the forest complexes of Ljubija, both for the individual and the common use. This would primarily be related to the promotion and preservation of cultural, natural and landscape heritage and popularization of a healthy lifestyle and sustainable eco-tourism. The future of the ecological complex Ljubija is seen in the valorization of cultural and historical values, the conversion of economic forests into urban, protection of the blue-green complex (lake, river, forest), with the aim of establishing a common development strategy that will respect the specificity of the relationship between man and nature.

Key words:
Urban forestry, Green infrastructure, Sustainable development, Eco-tourism

Thematic field:
Urban Forestry –Landscape Architecture

Date of abstract submission:
06.09.2017.

Conference:
Šumarska nauka u funkciji održivog razvoja šumarstva
25 godina šumarstva Republike Srpske