Abstract
What are the links between the ‘sense of place’ of individuals and their ‘concern’ about coastal phenomena described as ‘risk-generating’ on French coasts? A state of the art specifies the concept of ‘sense of place’ and its several dimensions (identity, emotional, symbolic, functional) as well as the notion of ‘concern’ and its modalities (passive or active). Based on these clarifications, as well as on data from a range of surveys conducted on French coastal and estuarine areas, we empirically characterize the dimensions of sense of place and their links with the modes of environmental concern. The results show negative links between the symbolic and emotional dimensions of relation to place and a concern qualified as passive, as well as positive links between the symbolic dimension of relation to place and a so-called active concern. We discuss these relationships as well as their consequences for coastal and territorial risk governance.