Geostrategy, naval ports and local economic development: Brest in an era of strategic reappraisal

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French naval strategy is examined and it is demonstrated that continuing ambitions still support significant warship production capacity and substantial naval cityports. The local economic significance of this is explored in the context of Brest, a naval cityport responsible for impressive upward transition in a major European peripheral region. It is argued that a new scenario of long-term naval decline presents opportunities to reject market forces as the vehicle for restructuring and pursue instead an endogenous development strategy. Possible approaches are discussed. Findings are used to suggest wider implications for European sea power and naval cityport development.