47
In the concept of resilience of both ecological and human systems, the theme of sustainability
research has emerged in literature. This literature identifies that patterns of climate disturbances occur
along the coasts, especially exacerbating the vulnerability of settlements and the natural environment
within a dynamic coastal landscape (Kittinger & Ayers, 2010; Levin, 1999; Connell, 1978).
Understanding how both human and natural systems can potentially and successfully adapt to climate
change is important for the resilience of both. The relationships between the systems are fundamental,
and the complex pattern of human-ecological systems is important because systems can trend toward
multiple stable states resulting in undesirable loss of critical ecosystem services and values.
Thus, this chapter investigates the nature of coastal settlements along the Australian coast, settlement patterns, place character, biophysical characteristics and their relationship to place and the natural environment, with regard to the vulnerability of sea level rise and climate change.
This chapter concludes with an investigation of current practices to manage and plan the interface
of human and coastal ecological systems by reviewing coastal settlements in the state of Victoria,
Australia, specifically along the Great Ocean Road. Even though the focus is on the Victorian Coast
in Australia, the contexts and vulnerability of the coast and human settlements along this coast is similar to what other coasts and settlements across the globe experience. Therefore, the context can be
matched with comparable attributes and issues for many coastal landscapes across the world. Further,
I introduce the issues of coastal settlements and human interactions with the environment as a key part
of the narrative of this book, due to the high risk of impacts from sea level rise and climate change we
will face in the future.
4.2 Coastal Settlements and the Coast
More than 60% of the world’s population live within 150 km of coastlines, with more and more
densely populated settlements on just under 10% of the earth’s land surface (Nicholls & Small, 2002),
sprawling all along the coastal zone. It is predicted by 2050 that more than 75% of the world’s population will be living on or near the coast (Green, 2010; UN., 2002). In Australia over 20 million people
live within 50 km of the sea, and 20% of the population live in smaller coastal towns which are located
right on the coast (Green, 2010). Rapid urban expansion in coastal settlements due to ‘lifestyle migration’ impacts negatively upon coastal amenities. The coast is under stress, with the growth pattern of
settlements occurring in a sprawling linear fashion. This pattern is resulting in devastating effects on
the natural local environment including biodiversity and habitat loss, degradation of water quality,
damage to wetlands, coastal erosion, loss of native vegetation, introduction of pest animals and plants,
and the loss of cultural heritage (VCC, 2008; DSE, 2004).
4.3 The Nature of Coastal Settlements
Globally, regional coastal settlements are similar in context and attributes. Coastal settlements and
their attributes – the attractive natural environments and recreational opportunities that these places
can offer – are the driving factors behind the migration of people to the coast. In Australia this phenomenon is referred to as ‘sea change’. This term refers to a variety of people moving to settlements
along the coast, where the differences can be explained by understanding the location, settlement, and
population variations that characterise coastal amenity communities. This migration is purely due to
the human desire to seek a change in lifestyle (Burnley & Murphy, 2004). It is a form of amenity
migration, whereby people seek the values and attributes that the place character of these coastal
4.3 The Nature of Coastal Settlements
In the concept of resilience of both ecological and human systems, the theme of sustainability
research has emerged in literature. This literature identifies that patterns of climate disturbances occur
along the coasts, especially exacerbating the vulnerability of settlements and the natural environment
within a dynamic coastal landscape (Kittinger & Ayers, 2010; Levin, 1999; Connell, 1978).
Understanding how both human and natural systems can potentially and successfully adapt to climate
change is important for the resilience of both. The relationships between the systems are fundamental,
and the complex pattern of human-ecological systems is important because systems can trend toward
multiple stable states resulting in undesirable loss of critical ecosystem services and values.
Thus, this chapter investigates the nature of coastal settlements along the Australian coast, settlement patterns, place character, biophysical characteristics and their relationship to place and the natural environment, with regard to the vulnerability of sea level rise and climate change.
This chapter concludes with an investigation of current practices to manage and plan the interface
of human and coastal ecological systems by reviewing coastal settlements in the state of Victoria,
Australia, specifically along the Great Ocean Road. Even though the focus is on the Victorian Coast
in Australia, the contexts and vulnerability of the coast and human settlements along this coast is similar to what other coasts and settlements across the globe experience. Therefore, the context can be
matched with comparable attributes and issues for many coastal landscapes across the world. Further,
I introduce the issues of coastal settlements and human interactions with the environment as a key part
of the narrative of this book, due to the high risk of impacts from sea level rise and climate change we
will face in the future.
4.2 Coastal Settlements and the Coast
More than 60% of the world’s population live within 150 km of coastlines, with more and more
densely populated settlements on just under 10% of the earth’s land surface (Nicholls & Small, 2002),
sprawling all along the coastal zone. It is predicted by 2050 that more than 75% of the world’s population will be living on or near the coast (Green, 2010; UN., 2002). In Australia over 20 million people
live within 50 km of the sea, and 20% of the population live in smaller coastal towns which are located
right on the coast (Green, 2010). Rapid urban expansion in coastal settlements due to ‘lifestyle migration’ impacts negatively upon coastal amenities. The coast is under stress, with the growth pattern of
settlements occurring in a sprawling linear fashion. This pattern is resulting in devastating effects on
the natural local environment including biodiversity and habitat loss, degradation of water quality,
damage to wetlands, coastal erosion, loss of native vegetation, introduction of pest animals and plants,
and the loss of cultural heritage (VCC, 2008; DSE, 2004).
4.3 The Nature of Coastal Settlements
Globally, regional coastal settlements are similar in context and attributes. Coastal settlements and
their attributes – the attractive natural environments and recreational opportunities that these places
can offer – are the driving factors behind the migration of people to the coast. In Australia this phenomenon is referred to as ‘sea change’. This term refers to a variety of people moving to settlements
along the coast, where the differences can be explained by understanding the location, settlement, and
population variations that characterise coastal amenity communities. This migration is purely due to
the human desire to seek a change in lifestyle (Burnley & Murphy, 2004). It is a form of amenity
migration, whereby people seek the values and attributes that the place character of these coastal
4.3 The Nature of Coastal Settlements