Urbane šume vrijedni su prirodni resursi koji modernom društvu pružaju višestruke koristi, pri čemu proizvodnja drva nije prioritet (Konijnendijk 2000). Stoga koristi od urbanih šuma vrlo često imaju obilježja netržišnih dobara i usluga. Prilikom donošenja odluka vezanih za urbane šume javlja se potreba za konkretnim informacijama, u idealnom slučaju rezultatima analize troškova i koristi, gdje su koristi od urbanih šuma važan ulazni podatak. Rezultati dobiveni znanstvenim metodama vrednovanja urbanih šuma mogu poslužiti za savjetovanje sudionika u procesu odlučivanja i donošenja politika u skladu s konceptom uporabljive znanosti
(engl. usable science) (Stevanov i dr. 2011). Cilj je ovog rada kvalitativno analizirati literaturu koja se odnosi na vrednovanje
koristi od urbanih šuma metodama vrednovanja netržišnih dobara i usluga. Na osnovi pretrage baze Science Direct izdvojeno ukupno 38 članaka koji su obuhvatili razdoblje od 1997. do 2012. godine. Analiza pokazuje da se najčešće primjenjuju metoda hedonističkih cijena (HPM) i metoda vrednovanja kontingenta (CVM), dok su metaanalize za sada rijetke. Odabrane studije obuhvaćaju različite tipove urbanih šuma (drveće, parkove, šume, rekreacijska područja) ili se odnose općenito na koncept otvorenog prostora (engl. open space) unutar kojih se nalaze i urbane šume. Većinu studija objavili su autori iz SAD-a (13) i Kine (8), a gledano po kontinentima najviše ih se odnosi na Europu (14), Sj. Ameriku (13) i Aziju (9). Istraživanja koja primjenjuju HPM pokazuju da blizina urbanih šuma (do 500 m) znatno utječe na porast vrijednosti nekretnine, a osim blizine, ključne varijable su tip i veličina urbane šume, slobodan pristup (ne naplaćuju se ulaznice) te razina kriminala. Najčešće vrednovana korist je mogućnost rekreacije. Rezultate vrednovanja različitim metodama treba tumačiti s oprezom, jer svaka pojedina metoda ima svojih prednosti i nedostataka. Analiza literature otkriva manjak ovakvih istraživanja u Hrvatskoj i upućuje na potrebu za jačom zastupljenosti
ovakvih tema u budućnosti. Svrha je članka dati pregled studija vrednovanja koristi od urbanih šuma, pokazati koje varijable utječu na rezultat vrednovanja te općenito upozoriti na potrebu provođenja ovakvih studija. Prikazana analiza literature može poslužiti istraživačima, urbanistima, krajobraznim arhitektima te
uživateljima koristi od urbanih šuma.Urban forests provide multiple benefits whereas wood production is less important in comparison to benefits such as mitigating air pollution and heath island effect, providing fresh water or recreational opportunities to growing urban population (Konijnendijk 2000). However these benefits are usually non-marketable. There are several typologies of forest benefits (services), while Tyrväinen et al. (2005) brings typology of benefits and uses of urban forests and trees (Table 1). Putting value on urban forest benefits helps decision makers to make informed decisions about urban forests, ideally based on cost- benefit analysis. This is in line with concept of usable science, whereas scientific results can serve as valuable information
to political actors in the process of deliberation (Stevanov et al. 2011). The purpose of this paper was to give a literature analysis related to valuation of non-marketable urban forest benefits. Search engine Science Direct gave 38 results covering the period 1997-2012,
with 24 papers published in the last five years (Table 2). Qualitative analysis showed that the most common valuation methods were hedonic pricing method (HPC) and contingent valuation method (CVM), while meta-analysis, as one of benefit transfer methods, was rare (Table 2). These methods use urban residents’ stated or revealed wiliness to pay (WTP) for urban forest benefits. Selected papers addressed different types of urban forests (street trees, trees in the park, forests or recreation areas) or trees as element of open spaces. Majority of studies are published by authors from USA (13) and China (8). Urban forest located within range of up to 500 m significantly affected valuation, as well as type, size, free access or level of crime in the neighbourhood. Recreational benefits were most commonly valuated. Results of valuation studies have to be interpreted in context of limitations of each method applied. Valuation
studies of urban forest benefits in Croatia are still rare. Growing urban population and other pressures negatively influence urban forests. Putting monetary values on them could help in their conservation. This paper may be helpful to researchers, urban planners, landscape
architects, and other consumers of urban forest benefits. There is almost no such research in Croatia, which indicates need to put more emphasis on this type of research in future
