Urbanization in Australia: Coastal Growth, Climate Vulnerability, and Ethical Legal Responses to Environmental Change

Abstract

This paper examines the ethical dimensions of coastal urbanization in Australia, focusing on climate justice, intergenerational equity, and the protection of vulnerable communities. It analyzes the effectiveness of Australia's legal frameworks, including federal environmental laws and state-based planning regulations, in addressing climate change risks in urban areas. Through case studies of Sydney and Brisbane, supplemented by examples from Perth and Melbourne, the paper identifies gaps in current approaches and proposes ethics-based legal reforms to promote resilient and sustainable coastal cities.