Development of Inland cities

Australia, like many other nations, has become a coastal society. Approximately 85% of our population resides in coastal regions, which play a crucial role in our economy, environment, and social fabric.
However, as climate change accelerates, we must re-evaluate our land use patterns and consider moving inland to address the negative consequences of coastal overpopulation.
Many people are concerned about the effects of coastal development and rapid population growth in densely populated urban areas along coastlines.
These cities have a negative impact on the environment and are vulnerable to natural climate change reactions; these concerns are not only valid but also appear to be well supported by scientific evidence.
Coastal areas are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including sea level rise, storm surges, and coastal erosion. As sea levels rise, low-lying coastal regions become more vulnerable to flooding, which can destroy homes, infrastructure, and ecosystems.
Furthermore, the loss of natural buffers such as wetlands and forests due to coastal development heightens these risks by reducing these ecosystems’ ability to mitigate flooding and erosion.
The concentration of human populations along coastlines has also had a significant environmental impact. The conversion of land for urban development and agriculture has resulted in the destruction of wetlands, forests, and other natural habitats, disrupting the water cycle and reducing the land’s capacity to absorb and filter water.
This, combined with the effects of climate change, has resulted in an increase in the frequency and severity of flooding events, even in areas not directly adjacent to the coastline.
We are all deeply saddened when we see low-lying coastal areas devastated by flash flooding following a few days of heavy rain, which is all too common these days.
The sponge-like qualities of rich fertile soil have diminished to the point where we only have dirt instead of topsoil. When rain falls on compacted dirt, it almost immediately runs off, resulting in flash flooding.
Cities’ impermeable surfaces exacerbate this phenomenon. We must acknowledge that our current land-use practices contribute to this vulnerability.
The constantly increasing losses of natural habitats and changes in land cover affect biodiversity and ecosystem services. Wetlands, for example, play an important role in water filtration, flood control, and carbon sequestration, whereas forests regulate the water cycle and provide habitat for a variety of species.
Moving populations inland and away from coastal areas may reduce communities’ vulnerability to coastal hazards and relieve some of the pressure on coastal ecosystems.
Large inland cities need to be built to accommodate any future population growth.
This will require meticulous planning and consideration of a variety of factors, including the availability of suitable land, infrastructure, and resources in inland areas, as well as the economic and social consequences for coastal communities when inland megacities start getting built and absorbing the industries that come with those types of projects.

Scroll to Top