Integrating Green Building Principles Into Family Health Centers: Scenario-Based Energy Efficiency Assessment

Authors : Yüksel Duygu Altıparmak
Pages : 171-175
Doi:10.16899/jcm.1710127
View : 74 | Download : 86
Publication Date : 2025-07-31
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :Background/Aims: Many developed countries around the world are developing various policies to make their health institutions and health infrastructure sustainable. This study aims to evaluate the current practices in hospitals in Turkey and investigate their applicability to family health centers (FHCs). Methods: The study was conducted using a mixed and qualitative design that combined existing document analysis, comparative analysis, and scenario modeling methods. It aims to develop applicable policy recommendations for both situation assessment and future planning by evaluating data obtained from healthcare institutions operating in Turkey. Results: Solar energy systems (photovoltaic panels), indoor LED lighting systems, and water-saving fixtures, which are identified as the fastest and easiest to implement for FHCs in green building certification, are expected to reduce the carbon emissions of the existing 8,300 family health centers by approximately 45,000 tons per year, saving about 20 million kWh of energy and 1.5 million cubic meters of water annually. Conclusions: While hospitals have the potential for transformation with more advanced systems, family health centers can contribute to environmental sustainability with simpler and lower-cost strategies. It has been determined that family health centers, based on the principles of green building criteria, are quite suitable for sustainable energy use even on a micro scale. The scenarios developed indicate that the identified practices can contribute to national environmental goals and also play an important role in raising environmental awareness in society. The successful dissemination of sustainable health policies will be possible with the active involvement of FHCs in this process.
Keywords : yeşil bina, aile sağlığı merkezi, sürdürülebilirlik

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