The granularity of sand: Analogies of production,consumption,and distribution

Abstract

Due to high global demand, sand is known as a scarce and controversial resource. Jamieson’s article, ‘For Granular Geography’, starts from this premise, presenting force chains, friction, and phase transitions to illustrate production, consumption, and distribution processes of sand from upstream to downstream by means of analogies. This commentary is divided into two parts. The first section discusses how these three elements are used as analogies, with particular attention to Singapore. The second part reflects on the added value and limitations of such an approach, drawing on a specific case study of land reclamation.

Keywords

commodity chains force chain friction granularity land reclamation phase transition sand

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