Redesigning healthcare facilities for sustainability: green hospital transformations and new infrastructure planning

Background

This study aims to analyze the green transformation processes of existing hospitals and the sustainable design principles of newly constructed healthcare facilities in Türkiye. Given the healthcare sector’s significant environmental impacts—including high energy consumption, carbon emissions, water management challenges, and waste recycling issues—this research investigates strategies to minimize these impacts and support the transition toward sustainable healthcare systems within the national context.

Methods

A qualitative research design was employed, involving in-depth interviews with 24 healthcare managers from both public and private hospitals across Türkiye. Participants were selected using criterion and maximum variation sampling techniques, supplemented by snowball sampling to identify relevant stakeholders. Data were analyzed using MAXQDA 2020 qualitative analysis software to extract key components of sustainable healthcare facilities.

Results

The analysis revealed several critical environmental challenges facing existing hospitals in Türkiye, such as the lack of sustainable infrastructure leading to excessive energy consumption, inefficient waste management systems, suboptimal water use, and limited initiatives aimed at reducing carbon footprints. In contrast, newly designed healthcare facilities demonstrate solutions including the integration of solar panels and renewable energy systems, implementation of water recycling, adoption of green roof designs and natural ventilation, and the expansion of smart energy management technologies. Healthcare managers highlighted that the main barriers to green hospital transformation include high costs, structural limitations of existing buildings, and insufficient managerial support.

Conclusion

To effectively advance green transformation in the Turkish healthcare sector, it is recommended to establish sustainable architectural standards for new hospital buildings, develop financial and managerial frameworks to incentivize the green transformation of existing facilities, and accelerate the transition to carbon-neutral healthcare systems through targeted policy and strategic initiatives. The widespread adoption of green practices in healthcare institutions is critical for environmental sustainability and public health. Efficient resource management, waste control, and environmental awareness programs are essential to align healthcare institutions in Türkiye with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).