New Approaches to Oil Vulnerability Mapping for Australian Cities: The Case of South-East Queensland, the 200km City

Abstract

Australian cities are extremely dependent on oil for transportation, with relatively high automobile mode shares. ‘Forced car ownership’ is prevalent, especially in the outer suburbs of capital cities due to poor public transport services and connectivity. The potential harm caused by oil dependence and uncertain supply can be seen as a form of vulnerability. This paper develops and applies new approaches to better understand oil vulnerability and its spatial patterning. A new oil vulnerability framework that builds on previous approaches is provided, drawing on climate change vulnerability concepts of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. GIS-based oil vulnerability mapping is used to reveal the different dimensions across the urbanised coast of South-East Queensland (SEQ). This study is compared with previous approaches, notably Dodson and Sipe’s (2007) VIPER Index, and current regional transport and urban patterns. Consistent with previous studies, outer suburbs away from well-serviced public transport corridors are least prepared for sudden oil shock events, though subtle nuances are revealed using the new methods. This study revealed the multiple dimensions of oil vulnerability with a new visual classification technique. The resultant index could help planners and policy makers to holistically identify areas at high risk and provide more targeted responses. The new indicators and vulnerability mapping methods have a potential to be expanded to other urban jurisdictions within and beyond Australia.