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of intensive accretions; however, these are not without consequences
for the quality of the marine environment. Sediment inputs also
require dredging at sea in order to gain access to the port following the
depths used for docks, as ships need to load and unload goods but also
attempt staying motionless for as short time as possible. These needs
underlie the progressive decrease in floodplains in the Bay of Tokyo,
which offers the best example of the gradual silting of a bay. The
same phenomenon can be observed in a different context in
Singapore, the first port in the world, or at least in the Chinese
economy, that is largely driven by import-export; this port requires
considerable surface input. With the help of the particular political
regime in place in China (and in spite of its theoretical engagement in
the integrated management of coastal zones), the preservation of the
environment is apparently not a priority. This is in contrast to Europe,
and France in particular, where environmental protection influences
the way development policies are deployed. Uses and conflict of uses,
beyond the local environments in which they take place, are nothing
more but the expression of the balance of power within societies.
Finally, the issue is cultural and clashes with the idea of globalization
as a phenomenon that reduces cultural differences.
5.3.7.
… as a transition
The increased attractiveness of the coastlines and the race of
economic imperatives offshore have strongly unified seas and coasts
in the expectations of people and contemporary societies. The
conflicts in uses are merely a reflection of frustrated expectations:
some think that economic progress ensures a future, whereas others go
as far as envisaging economic downsizing to ensure a sustainable
future for all. In the latter's opinion, it is the survival of the planet that
is at stake. It is as if the millennialism, which is often evoked by
historians about the 11th Century, has risen from its ashes: our new
millennialism is referred to as global warming for the optimists and
climate change for the pessimists.
It is not possible to understand our contemporary heritage policies
without taking these concerns into account. These are often more
latent rather than spelled out [GUN 09]. For some, the solution lies in
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