Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of Healthcare Buildings: A Policy Framework
Article
Article Title | Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of Healthcare Buildings: A Policy Framework |
---|---|
ERA Journal ID | 210216 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Ullah, Zeeshan, Nasir, Abdur Rehmans, Alqahtani, Fahad K., Ullah, Fahim, Thaheem, Muhammad Jamaluddin and Maqsoom, Ahsen |
Editors | Biswas, W.K. |
Journal Title | Buildings |
Journal Citation | 13 |
Article Number | 2143 |
Number of Pages | 26 |
Year | 2023 |
Publisher | MDPI AG |
Place of Publication | Switzerland |
ISSN | 2075-5309 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13092143 |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/13/9/2143 |
Abstract | The healthcare industry significantly impacts the environment due to its high usage of energy and natural resources and the associated waste generation. This study applied a cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) approach to assess the environmental and social life cycles of public hospitals. One hundred twenty-four public hospitals were selected for the current study; their sustainability performance was compared with those certified by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The comparison revealed several factors contributing to the poor sustainability performance of public hospitals. These include inadequate management, substandard planning, political interference, insufficient staffing and funding, high energy consumption, high expenses, inconsistent healthcare policies, and conventional building designs. System thinking was leveraged, and a causal loop diagram (CLD) was developed to visualize the interdependency of the identified indicators of LCSA. Based on the findings of the study, a policy framework is proposed to guide the development of sustainable healthcare buildings. The framework includes using eco-friendly materials and techniques in construction, harnessing solar energy, improving hospital management practices, promoting public awareness about sustainability, conserving energy and water, and adopting sustainable waste management and transportation. Additionally, it emphasizes addressing social issues such as improving indoor air quality, thermal comfort, lighting, acoustics, patient safety, and security and ensuring that healthcare services are accessible and affordable. This study contributes to the literature on sustainable healthcare buildings by providing a practical policy framework for achieving sustainability in the healthcare sector. |
Keywords | buildings; causal loop diagram; construction projects; life cycle sustainability assessment; sustainable healthcare; policy framework |
Article Publishing Charge (APC) Amount Paid | 2600.0 |
Article Publishing Charge (APC) Funding | Other |
Contains Sensitive Content | Does not contain sensitive content |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 330202. Building construction management and project planning |
330314. Sustainable design | |
330110. Sustainable architecture | |
Byline Affiliations | National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan |
King Saud University, Saudi Arabia | |
School of Surveying and Built Environment | |
Deakin University | |
COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/z0qzz/life-cycle-sustainability-assessment-of-healthcare-buildings-a-policy-framework
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