Introduction. Managing the development of the bio-social infrastructure of the city allows you to preserve natural objects in cities and create conditions for a healthy life in the conditions of high dynamics of urbanization in Russia. The aim of the study is to study and analyze the institutional environment for the development of urban forests as part of the natural frame of the city and changes in the structure using the example of the Igumnov forest (Kazan, Russia) Research objectives: recommendations for managing the development and structural changes of urban recreational forests as ward public goods of the city’s bio-social infrastructure and analysis of the institutional environment for the development of recreational urban forests in the city of Kazan.
Materials and methods. The study was carried out on the basis of historical data from open sources of the mayor’s office of the city of Kazan on the planning and implementation of investment projects for the management of urban forests, parks and other natural objects. The methods of structural analysis, functional analysis, the method of full-scale photographic fixation of forests and green spaces of Kazan were used.
Results. Qualitative changes in the structural and functional nature of the Igumnovskaya oak forest have been identified, which occurred at the stage of uncontrolled exploitation of a natural object in the absence of professional monitoring and care of the object, foreseeable development goals of the object. Development governance of natural objects as patronized goods is possible on the basis of institutions of public guardianship and city development.
Conclusions. Development institutions can study, diagnose the state of the city, taking into account the multifactorial nature of the socio-bio-technical system of the city, create an institutional environment for the development of public, natural and technical objects of the city, including the forest services market, organize scientific research, carry out professional monitoring and management of the development of the biosphere infrastructure of cities, to carry out joint active work with citizens on the development of urban natural objects.