Social Justice: Access and Equity

Coastal gentrification raises fundamental questions about who can access the sea. As property values soar, working families—including those whose labor supports coastal tourism—find themselves priced out. The French principle of public coastal access faces pressure from privatization, both explicit through development and implicit through economic exclusion.

The sentier du littoral (coastal path) exemplifies struggles over access. Legally, the entire French coast should be publicly accessible, yet wealthy property owners often obstruct paths, leading to decades-long legal battles. Each opened section represents victory for public rights, but enforcement requires constant vigilance. The path serves as both practical infrastructure and symbol of democratic access to natural heritage.

Environmental justice concerns mount as climate impacts disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Low-income communities often occupy flood-prone areas with minimal protection. Immigrant populations concentrate in port districts facing pollution and industrial hazards. Seasonal workers in tourism lack rights and protections available to permanent residents. Addressing these inequities requires explicit attention to social dimensions of coastal policy.

Indigenous and traditional communities assert rights to coastal resources and decision-making. Breton seaweed harvesters maintain customary access despite regulatory changes. Basque fishers claim historical fishing grounds threatened by development. These groups possess irreplaceable knowledge about coastal ecosystems and sustainable practices, yet often lack formal voice in governance structures. Recognizing traditional rights while adapting to modern conditions challenges legal frameworks designed for individual rather than collective ownership.