Natural healing? A study about the health benefits from natural environments in hospital outdoor areas

Abstract: A growing field of research links natural environments to increased human well-being. These benefits are especially valuable for people in the process of regaining health, for instance those who are in hospitals. Through reviewing planning documents and interviewing key actors, this thesis explores how natural environments are incorporated in the planning of a future hospital in Helsingborg, Sweden. More specifically, it gains insight into how different benefits from nature are included in the planning process, as well as potential barriers to the implementation of these visions. The findings suggest that health-related benefits are included and highly valued in the visions. However, the actors perceive several barriers that in the future might hinder implementation of the visions, including knowledge gaps and priority of short-term economic profit. The results shine light on the complexities of green urban planning and on barriers that need to be addressed to ensure that the plans of natural environments surrounding the hospital are implemented.