Understanding Vulnerabilities in Transitional Coastal Communities

Many coastal areas throughout the world are undergoing rapid transition in terms of population growth and development. The perceived utopia of these coastal areas is driving a "sea change" phenomenon in several parts of coastal Australia, where some local municipalities are experiencing annual growth rates of around 4%. While the actual increases may be quite small when compared to net population growth within cities, the impacts on social capital and identity within these smaller communities are pronounced. These impacts are further exacerbated by surges in visitor numbers during holiday periods. The declining social fabric within transitional coastal communities affects the capacity of those communities to respond to coastal disasters. The reduced capacity to respond is compounded where power relationships and access to resources are disproportionately skewed from communities of place to communities of interest and association. A participatory approach to determining vulnerabilities in these areas can be used as a basis to assess capacity; as well as, provide a mechanism for social learning to develop on-going adaptive capacity. It also assists in the development of shared understanding and greater cohesion between different types of communities, thereby enhancing the overall and long-term resilience of those communities.