Sagas of Sand: Decoding resource acquisition and consumption
Lavnik Poddar, Mansi Aggarwal, Varun Sai Koruprolu, Yatin Seth, Sahil Thappa, and Praveen Nahar
Sand is the second most utilised resource globally and plays a crucial role in everyday life; however, its significance often remains overlooked by the average consumer. This project examines the phenomenon of sand mining, which sparked our interest and raised pertinent questions regarding the consumption of resources. To address these questions, the study investigates the significance of sand, the extensive consumption patterns driving its demand, and the environmental and societal impacts resulting from such consumption.
Employing a methodology encompassing workshops, expert interviews, literature review, and analysis of news articles and films related to the subject matter, we sought to comprehensively explore the research objectives. The study further investigates how certain design principles like Embodied Energy can encourage users to reflect upon their daily resource usage and make informed decisions aligned with sustainability principles.
The primary aim of this project is to create awareness about the significance of sand and advocate for practices that promote responsible resource consumption (especially in the field of construction). By shedding light on the underappreciated role of sand in society, this paper intends to inspire a shift towards more sustainable approaches to resource management. Through a systemic investigation, this study contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable development and encourages the adoption of practices that ensure the better utilisation of resources.
KEYWORDS: sand, illegal sand mining, sand mining, consumption patterns, environmental impacts, construction, embodied energy, resource usage, sustainability principles, resource management, sustainable approaches, sustainable development
RSD TOPIC(S): Socio-ecological Design, Architecture & Planning, Policy & Governance