Intensive erosion has affected the coastal zone of Cotonou for several decades. An analysis of satellite images showed an average coastline retreat of 115 m in the study area over the period 2002–2013 with several hundred houses destroyed. Since 2014, a stabilisation of the coastline is observed. This study aimed at identifying the at-risk population and at analysing the perceptions of people who experience and those who manage coastal erosion risk, as well as the responses adopted. Based on four criteria and their hierarchy, we identified five profiles of inhabitants in this risk zone. (1) Wealthy people who leave the zone when they are affected or (2) fall into the category of people in danger in case they cannot migrate. (3) Fishermen who deliberately stay near the sea. (4) The most precarious people, trapped in the risk zone. Finally, (5) poor newcomers who continually increase the at-risk population. With the recent stabilisation of the coastline, the national authorities manage the “hazard” component of the risk. However, the majority of the population is not serene. The anthropogenic stress linked to evictions gradually replaced the stress to be engulfed by the sea. We conclude that the “vulnerability” component of the risk is not yet resolved. All categories of the population in this sensitive area need to be secured. Cooperation among multiple levels of governance, the application of land use planning regulations and of the Kampala Convention and the involvement of local communities are all measures which will enable to meet this objective.

几十年来，强烈的侵蚀影响了科托努的沿海地区。通过对卫星图像的分析，研究区域在2002年至2013年期间平均海岸线消退了115 m，数百间房屋被摧毁。自2014年以来，海岸线一直稳定。这项研究旨在确定高风险人群，并分析经验丰富的人和应对海岸侵蚀风险的人的看法以及所采取的应对措施。基于四个标准及其等级，我们确定了该风险区的五个居民概况。（1）富裕的人在受到影响时离开保护区，或（2）属于无法迁移的危险人群。（3）故意留在海边的渔民。（4）最危险的人，被困在危险区。最后，（5）贫穷的新移民不断增加高风险人口。随着海岸线最近的稳定，国家主管部门管理了风险的“危害”部分。但是，大多数人口并不平静。与迁离有关的人为压力逐渐取代了被海洋吞没的压力。我们得出结论，风险的“漏洞”部分尚未解决。需要确保这个敏感地区的所有类别的人口。各级施政之间的合作，土地用途规划条例的适用和《坎帕拉公约》的实施以及地方社区的参与都是能够实现这一目标的措施。国家主管部门管理风险的“危害”部分。但是，大多数人口并不平静。与迁离有关的人为压力逐渐取代了被海洋吞没的压力。我们得出结论，风险的“漏洞”部分尚未解决。需要确保这个敏感地区的所有类别的人口。各级施政之间的合作，土地用途规划条例的适用和《坎帕拉公约》的实施以及地方社区的参与都是能够实现这一目标的措施。国家主管部门管理风险的“危害”部分。但是，大多数人口并不平静。与迁离有关的人为压力逐渐取代了被海洋吞没的压力。我们得出结论，风险的“漏洞”部分尚未解决。需要确保这个敏感地区的所有类别的人口。各级施政之间的合作，土地用途规划条例的适用和《坎帕拉公约》的实施以及地方社区的参与都是能够实现这一目标的措施。我们得出结论，风险的“脆弱性”部分尚未解决。需要确保这个敏感地区的所有类别的人口。各级施政之间的合作，土地用途规划条例的适用和《坎帕拉公约》的实施以及地方社区的参与都是能够实现这一目标的措施。我们得出结论，风险的“漏洞”部分尚未解决。需要确保这个敏感地区的所有类别的人口。各级施政之间的合作，土地用途规划条例的适用以及《坎帕拉公约》的实施以及地方社区的参与，都是能够实现这一目标的措施。