Green Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities with Healing Architecture in India

Abstract

The design of healthcare facilities significantly affects patient outcomes, well-being, and environmental sustainability. With growing concerns over climate change and resource scarcity, there is an increasing demand to incorporate eco-friendly building concepts and healing design principles into hospital design in India. This review synthesizes recent research to explore the application of these approaches in the Indian healthcare context. Eco-friendly healthcare facilities emphasize energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, use of renewable energy sources, and eco-friendly building materials. These sustainable practices offer environmental and economic benefits such as reduced operational costs, diminished ecological impact, and improved patient experiences. Healing architecture principles, including daylighting, natural ventilation, healing gardens, and the integration of natural elements, aim to create therapeutic environments that promote patient recovery and well-being. Studies from Indian hospitals that have implemented green design practices and healing architecture elements demonstrate the feasibility and positive outcomes of these strategies. The review examines the challenges and barriers to implementing green hospitals and healing architecture in India, such as resource constraints, regulatory compliance, and lack of awareness. Evaluation frameworks like GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) are discussed as tools for assessing and enhancing environmental sustainability in Indian hospital infrastructure. By integrating recent research with best practices, this review provides an understanding of green hospitals and healing architecture in the Indian context, highlighting their significance in creating sustainable, patient-centered healthcare facilities that prioritize both environmental stewardship and patient recovery.