Urban Design - Barchan Barrier
CONCEPT

The problem of sand movement is growing day by day as cities and settlements are being overrun in dealing with the large amounts of sand pollution. The aim of the project is to avoid such problems by redirecting the sand outside the human environment. Integrating sustainable systems into the project it will allow it to be implemented within a large scope of environments that share the same wind particularities.

Sand clearance process:
I. the natural flow of sand comes into contact with the barrier.
II. the air flow system composed of twelve “elbow” like elements that use the wind itself to redirect the sand outwards and into the "pockets".
III. after the “dunes” redirect the sand into the pockets, it is transported to the endings of the barrier by a partial underground electrical solar powered conveyor belt system.
IV. the sand is transported at the other side of the city/ settlement in the wind direction.
V. this is the final stage in the process that allows the sand to enter again the natural flow.

The covering is made of several layers that can withstand severe climate conditions and harsh environments. The dune shaped shell respects the natural angles found in the sand dunes. This respects the physic characteristics of dune forming, enabling the barrier to function non stop without constant maintenance through the use of wind power. As long as there are conditions in which sand movement is occuring there shall be an equal amount of energy spent redirecting it.