Sustainable healthcare design Existing challenges and future directions for an environmental, economic, and social approach to sustainability

被引:25
|
作者
Zadeh, Rana Sagha [1 ]
Xuan, Xiaodong [2 ]
Shepley, Mardelle M. [1 ,3 ]
机构
[1] Cornell Univ, Dept Design & Environm Anal, Ithaca, NY USA
[2] Perkins Will, Boston, MA USA
[3] Texas A&M Univ, Dept Architecture, College Stn, TX USA
关键词
Sustainability; Healthcare; Energy saving; Sustainable buildings; Evidence-based design; LEED certification;
D O I
10.1108/F-09-2013-0067
中图分类号
C93 [管理学];
学科分类号
12 ; 1201 ; 1202 ; 120202 ;
摘要
Purpose - Healthcare projects face multiple obstacles in achieving sustainability. This paper aims to provide information regarding the energy consumption of healthcare facilities, to identify barriers to sustainability and to suggest methods to improve the effectiveness of these buildings. Design/methodology/approach - This study investigates sustainability in healthcare buildings by examining national databases about energy use and energy savings. The authors then initiate a dialogue on this topic by interviewing experts in healthcare planning and design regarding the implications of this data, challenges to sustainability and potential solutions to these challenges. Findings - An analysis of data from the Energy Information Administration revealed that healthcare facilities rank second among building types in the USA in energy use per square foot and rank fourth in total energy use. Data from the US Green Building Council showed that only 1 per cent of healthcare buildings are registered with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, and 0.4 per cent have achieved certification, which is low compared with other building types. Research limitations/implications - Research and discussion must continue engaging all stakeholders to interpret the data and identify transformative solutions to facilitate sustainable healthcare design construction and operation. Practical implications - It is important to approach sustainability in healthcare from social, economic, environmental and health-related perspectives. The authors identify five major barriers to sustainable healthcare design and construction and discuss 12 practical solutions. Originality/value - Given the energy demands of healthcare buildings, facilitating their sustainability has the potential to make a significant difference in national energy use. Empirical research and evidence-based design can potentially help to accelerate sustainability by clarifying impacts and documenting the economic and operational returns on investment.
引用
收藏
页码:264 / 288
页数:25
相关论文
共 50 条
  • [1] Environmental accessibility for the ethical, social and economic sustainability of existing assets
    Conti, Christina
    [J]. TECHNE-JOURNAL OF TECHNOLOGY FOR ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENT, 2014, 7 : 239 - 240
  • [2] Harvesting a sustainable future: An overview of smart agriculture's role in social, economic, and environmental sustainability
    Azlan, Zulfadli Hazim Zul
    Junaini, Syahrul Nizam
    Bolhassan, Noor Alamshah
    Wahi, Rafeah
    Arip, Mohammad Affendy
    [J]. JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION, 2024, 434
  • [3] Understanding Economic, Social, and Environmental Sustainability Challenges in the Global South
    Sierra, Javier
    Suarez-Collado, Angela
    [J]. SUSTAINABILITY, 2021, 13 (13)
  • [4] ATMPS IN EUROPE: EXISTING CHALLENGES AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
    Kamra, S.
    Kumar, P.
    Yelchuri, M. L.
    Dobariya, N.
    [J]. VALUE IN HEALTH, 2019, 22 : S426 - S426
  • [5] Organizational creativity and sustainability-oriented innovation as drivers of sustainable development: overcoming firms' economic, environmental and social sustainability challenges
    Souto, Jaime E.
    [J]. JOURNAL OF MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT, 2022, 33 (04) : 805 - 826
  • [6] Securing m-healthcare social networks: Challenges, countermeasures and future directions
    [J]. 1600, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., United States (20):
  • [7] SECURING M-HEALTHCARE SOCIAL NETWORKS: CHALLENGES, COUNTERMEASURES AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
    Zhou, Jun
    Cao, Zhenfu
    Dong, Xiaolei
    Lin, Xiaodong
    Vasilakos, Athanasios V.
    [J]. IEEE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS, 2013, 20 (04)
  • [9] Metaverse in Healthcare: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions
    Musamih, Ahmad
    Yaqoob, Ibrar
    Salah, Khaled
    Jayaraman, Raja
    Al-Hammadi, Yousof
    Omar, Mohammed
    Ellahham, Samer
    [J]. IEEE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS MAGAZINE, 2023, 12 (04) : 33 - 46
  • [10] Sustainable edge computing: Challenges and future directions
    Arroba, Patricia
    Buyya, Rajkumar
    Cardenas, Roman
    Risco-Martin, Jose L.
    Moya, Jose M.
    [J]. SOFTWARE-PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, 2024, 11 (2272-2296):