In medieval Europe, scientific diagrams known as portolan charts plotted the boundaries of the ecumene explored from the sea over the course of different voyages of discovery. Today, we have an abundance of information about the blue planet and the people, activities, resources and ecotones concentrated along its shores, while political strategies and economic issues impact the entire expanse of the ocean.

In a similar way to those ancient portolan charts, articles in this section seek to represent the geographical aspects of the many forms and dynamics of anthropisation, past and present, at play in coastal and maritime spaces (populations, urbanisation, activities, planning, etc.) by drawing on the wealth of information now available, varying the locations and scales, and focusing on a maritime perspective. They reveal the specific nature of the settlements and amenities that sustain coastal and maritime societies, and their related regional practices and forms of spatial appropriation. These processes have distinctive cultural and heritage manifestations that are also represented and examined.

The coastal interface and ocean habitats are particularly vulnerable to the impact of the deteriorating quality of the environment demonstrated across the planet. Rising sea levels will be a major risk factor for people, property and habitats in the near future. In this context, this section addresses what it means to occupy, inhabit and live your life in coastal maritime areas.