Urban
Scotland's population in the 1991 census was 5.1 million people, approximately 80 per cent of whom live in towns and cities. Although urban areas cover only around 3 per cent of Scotland's land area, it is the environment in which most people gain their everyday experience of the natural heritage.
The quality of Scotland's urban environment, founded mainly in the Central Belt on heavy industries and petrochemicals, has generally improved during the latter part of this century.
The urban environment is important not only because it offers contact with the natural heritage for many people. It also provides a diverse range of habitats for plants and animals, such as semi-permanent public open space in towns and cities, consisting of public parks and gardens, rail and road corridors, canals, graveyards and recreational areas.