1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
The goals of the intervention are:
1. Sustainable strengthening of a considerable section of the coast of South Holland and protect the mainland from sea level rise (sustainable because if it is effective, sand replenishment are unnecessary for the coming 20 years). (1,2,3,4,5,6,7)
2. Creation of nature and recreational area: the Sand Motor is publicly accessible and allows for recreation such as hiking and surfing, a quiet space where people can relax escaping the busy city. (1)
3. Creation of sustainable coastal protection that promotes biodiversity. Due to the shallow water, new species that are uncommon along the Dutch coast can live on and around the Sand Motor and the vegetation that the Sand Motor creates habitat for species. (2,6,7).
3. Contribution to knowledge and innovation regarding coastal management by means of performing research and publicly reporting results (1,7).
4. Maintenance the quality and quantity of drinking water (this should not be negatively affected by the Sand Motor)
5. Secure the quality of the Natura 2000 nature reserve in the dunes located nearby that could be affected by the developments (7)
1. Sustainable strengthening of a considerable section of the coast of South Holland and protect the mainland from sea level rise (sustainable because if it is effective, sand replenishment are unnecessary for the coming 20 years). (1,2,3,4,5,6,7)
2. Creation of nature and recreational area: the Sand Motor is publicly accessible and allows for recreation such as hiking and surfing, a quiet space where people can relax escaping the busy city. (1)
3. Creation of sustainable coastal protection that promotes biodiversity. Due to the shallow water, new species that are uncommon along the Dutch coast can live on and around the Sand Motor and the vegetation that the Sand Motor creates habitat for species. (2,6,7).
3. Contribution to knowledge and innovation regarding coastal management by means of performing research and publicly reporting results (1,7).
4. Maintenance the quality and quantity of drinking water (this should not be negatively affected by the Sand Motor)
5. Secure the quality of the Natura 2000 nature reserve in the dunes located nearby that could be affected by the developments (7)
Quantitative targets
The Sand Motor should last for 20 years, which means that the amount of sand that is placed can only decrease with 5% annually (1,3,6,7).
Monitoring indicators defined
Meteorological and hydrological dynamics: Waves and currents, water quality, wind speed, water levels, ground water quality and levels (2)
Morphology: sand dynamics including elevation changes, sand deposition, sediment composition, salt spray.
Ecology: amount, variety, location and characteristics (such as height) of plants and animal species, vegetation uptake of sand spray, breeding of birds.
Recreation: number of visitors (and number of parked cars and number of participants in excursions), the recreational and aesthetic valuation and what types of recreation is present on the Sand Motor by means of surveys among visitors. Also bathing safety is monitored (1,2,7).
Morphology: sand dynamics including elevation changes, sand deposition, sediment composition, salt spray.
Ecology: amount, variety, location and characteristics (such as height) of plants and animal species, vegetation uptake of sand spray, breeding of birds.
Recreation: number of visitors (and number of parked cars and number of participants in excursions), the recreational and aesthetic valuation and what types of recreation is present on the Sand Motor by means of surveys among visitors. Also bathing safety is monitored (1,2,7).
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Implementation activities
The main implementation activity was the creation of the artificial peninsula of 128 hectares (7) for which 21.5 million m3 of sand was placed (1,6). Other activities included the two sand nourishment operations on either side of the Sand Motor that were performed simultaneously (7) and the monitoring and research by means of a 40 meters high Argus Mast with monitoring instruments, laser vehicles, jetski's, buoys and surveys. (2,7)
Creation of an artificial peninsula in order to protect the mainland from sea level rise, contributing to sustainable coastal protection that promotes biodiversity.
Creation of an artificial peninsula in order to protect the mainland from sea level rise, contributing to sustainable coastal protection that promotes biodiversity.
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Please specify technological innovation
As argued by Rijkswaterstaat, "the Sand Motor has become an internationally renowned icon of innovation" [4] because of the unique concept of 'building with nature' instead of building against it [1]. In this process, the sand changes the currents which contributes to coastal protection, it helps building the dunes which was formally artificially done, it provides habitat for species that also help protecting the coast by holding the sand in its place and it creates optimal conditions for recreation. [2,3,7,8]
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
The Sand Motor is the first in its kind in the world and a pilot project in the 'building with nature' research programme by EcoShape [8].
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
There are plans for similar approaches in Jamaica and Norfolk (UK), but it can not be directly copied as a lot of the effectiveness is dependent on external conditions such as weather, strength of currents and wind, and desires of different stakeholders [2]. Therefore, substantial adaptation will be necessary.
