The Landscape at the Level of Climate Change Sediments Manipulation in the Loire Estuary

Faced with the challenge of rising sea level, we were asked to imagine the estuarine landscape of the Loire, in the territory between Nantes and Saint-Nazaire, from the perspective of present and past infrastructures and their possibility of abandonment and reinterpretation. Over the last two centuries, the Loire estuary has undergone a series of important public works to maintain safe shipping conditions. However, this has led to an alteration of the hydro-sedimentological processes in the river, with a negative impact on the various users of the Loire. The research has shown that it is possible to restore hydro-sedimentological processes by modifying the morphology of the estuary while providing better conditions for its users. The proposed restoration scheme is based on two main activities: the recreation of mudflats islands at the entrance of the estuary and the opening of a secondary natural channel. Both will reduce the Loire’s tendency to trap fine sediment in its inland estuary while restoring key ecological functions and bringing new ecojonomical activities to the region. This project finds its place in a negotiation between time and space; within an unfinished character. Together with the opening of the channel, a palafitic system is planned to protect and create new lands. The balance will be re-established when after 100 years the system of thousands of poles will be turned into mud and sand, leaving its place to a new ecosystem hosting new animal species and biotopes.