RESEARCH

A Pilot Study Considering Ecoroofs as Therapeutic Landscapes

This study explored the therapeutic potential of hospital ecoroofs through interviews, database analysis, and a case study, finding varied motivations for their installation and diverse user behaviors.
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Summary

This study investigated the therapeutic potential of hospital ecoroofs, using a mixed-methods approach including phone interviews with hospital ecoroof managers, analysis of national hospital databases, and a local case study at Oregon Health and Sciences University. The case study involved measuring cortisol levels and observing behaviors of patients, staff, and caregivers visiting the ecoroof compared to those waiting indoors. In 2017, researchers identified 105 hospitals with ecoroofs in the US and found that higher Medicaid discharges per year and non-profit status significantly increased the likelihood of a hospital having an ecoroof.

While the physiological case study had a limited sample size and did not observe significant cortisol changes, behavioral observations showed varied uses of the ecoroof space (e.g., cell phone use, relaxation). The interviews revealed diverse motivations for ecoroof installation, with therapy being a consideration for most, but not all, hospitals. The study suggests that the therapeutic effects of ecoroofs may vary depending on user type, activity, roof design, and goals.

Link

Starry, O., Viray, A., Park-Egan, B. et al. (2022). A pilot study considering ecoroofs as therapeutic landscapes. Front Sustain. Cities., 4, 1-10.

 

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