On the basis of defining the risk connotation and requirements of shoreline development and utilization, a risk assessment index system for shoreline development and utilization was constructed, including 20 indicators in the four aspects of water pollution, ecological environment, engineering safety, and management and emergency response capabilities. The analytic hierarchy process and the entropy method were used to determine the subjective and objective weight, respectively.The combined weight was obtained through the principle of minimum relative information entropy. Based on the gray relational improved matter element analysis method, a risk assessment model for shoreline development and utilization was established, which was applied to the Nanjing section of the Yangtze River. The results show that the improved matter element analysis method can effectively evaluate the risk level of shoreline development and utilization with realistic assessment outcome.The shoreline of Nanjing section has an overall low development and utilization risk with good management, but preventing ecological environmental risks should be focused on. The risk level of shoreline development and utilization can be further reduced by optimizing the layout, implementing the cleanup and remediation, carrying out the ecological protection and restoration.