The Evaluation of Factors Affecting Healing Through Sustainable Medical Centers Design: a Practical Model

Nowadays, using nature and its healing effects, as one of the sustainable architectural solutions, has attracted the attention of urban designers and managers. The aim of this study is to identify and prioritize the characteristics affecting the healing design of sustainable medical spaces, as one of the urban infrastructures, especially in interaction with nature. The mixed methodology of this study  consists of four steps. First, characteristics effective in healing through medical spaces were investigated through library study method and by reviewing past research. ،Then, using Delphi method, and by interviewing and asking experts through Likert method, the final characteristics were identified, prioritized, and inferentially analyzed using the SPSS software. Third, as a case study, the method and application of these characteristics in real samples were analyzed inferentially. Finally, using the results obtained, a practical model for designing a healing center was presented. The results from Delphi method reveal experts' prioritization of 10 healing characteristics in the design of  medical spaces. The Fresults obtained from the Delphi section and the SPSS inferential analysis reveal a high mean for the elimination of stressors (4.8) and the interaction with nature (4.6), and a low mean for horticultural activities (2.4). The findings of the case study and inferential analysis also indicate ahigh mean  for the elimination of stressors(3) and interaction with nature(3) and a low average of spatial design for privacy(1). Finally, by combining and comparing the results of different steps of the research, and by considering the prioritization of characteristics, a  practical model is presented for the healing design of  medical spaces, especially in interaction with nature. This model can be extended to other infrastructures of sustainable urban spaces.