Coastal Management on the Dutch Coast

The Sand engine is a large amount of sand that has been deposited in front of the western coast of the province of Zuid Holland. Wind, waves and sea current will spread the sand around. This concept which is called building with nature will contribute to the coastal safety in the long term and create more space for nature and recreation in this densely populated part of Holland. Deep in their  hearts the Dutch  know that  the sea will never be tamed. The changing climate poses new challenges for them. And the Dutch wouldn’t be the Dutch if they didn’t go in search of new, innovative solutions for the impending rising sea level.

The Sand Engine could be such a solution. An innovative way of large-scale sand suppletion whereby the Dutch engineers use the power of the wind and waves to create new land. Building with nature, the Dutch  let the sea do the hard work. In this way they combine two objectives, creating  more space for nature and recreation and making the coastline  more solid and safer. We recommend this visit in combination with the Storm surge barrier of Hook of Holland on the North Sea coast.