Delft University of Technology is the co-ordinator of the study NatureCoast into the development of the Sand Motor. The study will start this autumn and will take five years. It has a budget of 4 million euro.

Lage scale monitoring
The aim of this large-scale study is to gain more insight into the development of the Sand Motor and its effect on the environment and ecosystems. This will be done by monitoring a large number of aspects.

Artifical peninsula off the Dutch coast
The Sand motor - also known as Sand engine - is an artificial peninsula on the coast near Ter Heijde along the Dutch coastline. In 2011 this peninsula was created with a huge volume of sand. Wind, waves and currents will spread the sand naturally along the coast of Zuid-Holland.

The Sand Motor will gradually change in shape and will eventually be fully incorporated into the dunes and the beach. The coast will be broader and safer.

This new innovative Dutch coastal defence technology is called 'building with nature'

Scientific foundation for the Sand motor
Geoscientist Jasper Griffioen of the University of Utrecht: "The Sand Motor is a beautiful and environmentally friendly form of sand replenishment. By depositing a large amount of sand in a single operation, we can avoid repeated disruption of the ecosystem. Nature will take the sand to the right place for us."

Griffioen continues: "Through this study, we will find out if our expectations have been met. We want to gain a clear insight into the development of the Sand Motor."

The programme is coordinated by programme director prof.dr.ir. Marcel Stive (TU Delft), and is closely linked to foundation EcoShape Building with nature.

Thirty-four partners involved
Five universities, one research institute, eight knowledge institutes, seven businesses and thirteen other organisations will participate in this study.

Among those involved are, Delft University of Technology, Utrecht university, University Amsterdam, Wageningen UR, University of Twente, IMARES, Alterra, TNO, US Geological Survey, Boskalis, Van Oord, Arcadis, NortekSeadarq, Svasek, Dunea, Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, Province of South-Holland, WWF, Natuurmonumenten and Netherlands Water Partnership.

See earlier new item on the start of the Sand motor:
North point is already at work (October 11, 2011)

Top photo was shot from the ISS space station by Dutch astronaut André Kuipers on March 12, 2012.

More information
Delft University
prof.dr.ir. Marcel Stive: M.J.F.Stive@tudelft.nl
+31 15 27 85487,
www.tudelft.nl

Hydraullic institute EcoShape Building with nature
Dordrecht, the Netherlands
+31 78 6111 099
www.ecoshape.nl