The shortage of sand as a building material is one of the major issues of the construction sector in emerging economies like Vietnam. Meanwhile, sand extraction from water by dredging has caused significant environmental impacts in Vietnam.

Objectives
The project SAND! aims to develop technological and management-based methods to reduce environmental impacts from sand dredging in the Mekong River Delta of Vietnam and study alternative building material resources to prevent dredging in the mid-term.

Methodology
(1) Analyzing the status quo of environmental issues caused by sand dredging and developing a simulated scenario analysis for risk minimization of sand mining.
(2) Developing a comparative environmental assessment for alternatives to sand extraction.

Integrative problem-solving approach
This is an interdisciplinary project, which requires a cooperative approach. The approach includes stocktaking, conceptual and technological development, implementation in a pilot area and assessment of the results of the application, methodology, and multiplication for the transfer of results, institutional analysis, and training for local partners.

Crushed sand extraction in Vietnam. © Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal, Prof. Dr. Petra Schneider

Technical and political recommendations for action
The project can serve as a model for technical and political recommendations for actions concerning the solutions to sand shortages and relevant environmentally friendly technologies, not only in Vietnam, but also throughout Southeast Asia. SAND! will contribute to the sustainable development in Vietnam by improving sediment management in the Mekong River and related aspects concerning sustainable resources, land and water management, including flood control.

Source & further information: “SAND! – Alternative Sand Production and Risk Reduction of Dredging in Vietnam’ at https://www.bmbf-client.de/en/projects/sand, accessed on 8 October 2021.