Australian Settlement Patterns

Despite the stereotypical Australian image being one of a rural setting the majority of Australia’s population is and always has been most concentrated in urban centres and capital cities. Forster refers to this Metropolitan Primacy as one of the most striking features of the Australian settlement pattern (Forster, 2004). The history of the development and urbanisation of Australia and its cities has been a unique process, which does not necessarily conform to the process seen in other countries. To fully understand modern Australian cities one must analyse their unique past and development.

The development of Australian cities occurred in an almost opposite direction of what was seen in other developing countries at the time. During
(Australian government department of infrastructure and transport 2013) The extensive railway network in Australia lead to a centralised layout in its cities and to the development of, what Forster terms, the public transport city from the walking city. Forster states that the residential areas of the city developed along the train and tram lines originating from a city centre leading to a star shaped settlement pattern. The reduced travel time made possible by these new transport options meant that there was now more choice available, for those who could afford it, on where they could live. Forster regards this as the establishment of the residential suburb and as it occurred so did residential segregation. The development of the transport city in Australia further highlights the unique character of Australian cities compared to what was seen in Europe. Australia had a large middle class and higher wages were seen in the working class according to Forster. The extensive public transport available and the abundance of free land surrounding the cities meant cheaper land and easy, quick transport from residential areas to city centres and other places of employment despite the increased distance. By the end of the nineteenth century approximately 50 per cent of Australians were owner-occupiers compared with only 10 per cent in the United
The evolution of Australian cities from walking cities, to public transport cities, to automobile cities and eventually to the post modern city has been an extensive process that differs from what has occurred elsewhere throughout the world. The urban development of Australian cities has and always will be effected by global social and economic trends but in ways that are dependant on our history and thus the unique quality of Australian cities will always be