15.7.2
What are the consequences of a highly urbanised Australia?
When cities expand, the urban landscape invades the surrounding land, changing or removing natural ecosystems and swallowing up farmland. This expansion is known as urban sprawl . Perth in Western Australia is a very good example of a sprawling city. The metropolitan area of Perth extends approximately 120 kilometres from Alkimos in the north to Mandurah in the south (see FIGURE3 ). As Perth has grown outwards, the coastal sand- dune systems have been cleared of vegetation. Sand dunes are easy to shape for residential development, and this has led to rapid and extensive north–south expansion along the coast. Inland from the sand dunes, wetland areas — where intensive agriculture such as market gardening (vegetables) and viticulture (grapes) once dominated — have also been absorbed by urban growth. These wetlands have often been reshaped to capture water run-off from new housing developments. The fertile soil has been lost forever. Historically, urban areas were settled where the land was flat, the water and soil were good and the climate was temperate — in other words, where good farmland is located. When cities spread, the sprawl takes over arable land (land able to be farmed for crops). Urban sprawl has long-term effects, because it is very difficult to bring the soil back to its former state once the majority of the land has been used for buildings.
FIGURE3 Perth’s urban sprawl
Joondalup
Perth
Freemantle
Rockingham
Mandurah
Many of Australia’s cities, including Perth, have been called ‘car cities’ due to the reliance on private motor vehicles and road networks for transport. Perth’s north-to-south morphology (shape) is reflected in its freeway system, which can become very congested. This has an impact on distances and commuting times for people travelling to and from workplaces. The future for Australia Australia’s population will keep growing and changing, becoming more urban and older. This growth threatens the environment, causing loss of biodiversity, water shortages, more greenhouse gas emissions and food security issues. Cities face traffic congestion, housing problems and limited access to services, infrastructure and green spaces. To tackle these challenges, we need to plan for a growing population by building adaptable communities. 15.7.4 The rural lifestyle 15.7.3 By 2050, about 93 per cent of Australians will live in urban areas. Some city residents will make a tree or sea change to rural or coastal areas. Rural populations are generally stable or decreasing as young people move to cities for jobs and education. Some rural communities maintain their populations by shifting from manufacturing to services, and as the COVID pandemic demonstrated, people can live remotely as a result of better internet and improving public transport.
TOPIC15 Changing nations – urbanisation and migration 451
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