Abstract: A synthetic paper will be presented on the resource “sand” (dune, beach and dredging sands) and how it is taken into account within the framework of sustainable development. This resource is, in many cases, central to the integrated management process of the coastal area. Its limited volume arouses greed from the need to safeguard this resource to maintain the littoral equilibrium to its exploitation for various building needs. This resource, which is partly nonrenewable, will be firstly assessed. Secondly, the stakes which represent this resource will be determined. Thirdly, regulations concerning this resource will be presented. Then an analysis of the resource from the integrated management angle, i.e. taking into account the physical and societal parameters at stake, based on various examples in Europe and Africa will be carried out, showing failures and successes in the mid

and long-terms.