Could Healing Architecture Help in Acquiring a Healthy Inclusive Environment? S.M. Issa Abdou

Abstract

Purpose This study is a trial to review whether Healing Architecture could be an important dimension of the aimed at Healthy Inclusive Environment. The present study will focus on explaining the meanings of Healthy Inclusive Environment and Healing Architecture and their main characteristics and their relation to each other. Method A review of literature will be used to collect definitions, characteristics as well as various opinions of the proposed point of study “Healthy Inclusive Environments and Healing Archiecture”. Results and Discussion According to the World Health Organization A Healthy Environment is the one that “could prevent one quarter of the Global burden of disease” (World Health organization, ). Such environment would provide its users with clean air, stable climate, adequate water, sanitation and hygiene, safe use of chemicals, protection from radiation, healthy and safe workplaces, secure agriculture practices, health supporting cities and built environment, as well as preserved nature. In this definition it was found that it includes a lot of exaggeration in regard to the protection from radiation and preserved nature. This definition neglects the fact that difference of opinions and conflict of interests lead to wars and army confrontations where the used weapons pollute the atmosphere by producing energy travelling in the form of waves, to which people as well as soil, water and food are exposed. This leads to the spread of diseases affecting millions of individuals around the world (World Health assembly. 2020). “Radiological weapons are generally suitable of terror….The radioactive material acts as a toxic chemical to which exposure eventually proves harmful or fatal” (Cordsmann, A.H., 2024). For an Environment to be Inclusive, there is a need to spread the culture of mutual respect, effective relationships, clear communication as well as explicit understanding of expectations. Inclusive Environment is where there are values of diversity acceptance and respect of differences. In an inclusive community everyone - regardless of their origin, ethnicity or ability- can collaborate in a constructive way. There is a need, then, to address existing barriers whether physical or discriminatory to allow all community members to access opportunities and resources.  .” Healing Architecture minimizes health hazards through the design strategies that increase industrial  hygiene, air filtration with sanitation” (    ). When one designs for healing and well being. it creates peace with nature, specially designed places that are healthily balanced in order to promote wellness, stimulate creativity and healing within the built environment. There is a need, then, to address existing barriers whether physical or discriminatory to allow all community members to access opportunities and resources.  The design strategies used by  architecture could integrate light and color, space organization, form and building systems as well as building envelope to promote good health and help in the recovery of users whether physically, emotionally or psychologically. Recommendations that should be taken into consideration on various levels include: Teaching new generations the meaning of Healthy Inclusive Environments and their characteristics and impact on society members. Architects should be taught these concepts and how to apply them to their designs. Above all Leaders, Politicians and Decision Makers should have more awareness of the importance of the characteristics of Healthy Inclusive Environments before taking any crucial decisions.

References

WHO seventy seventh World Health assembly, Daily update 27 May-1 June 2024

Cordesmann ,A.H, “Radiological Weapons as means of Attack, available online at site-prod.s3.amazonan.com 28-5-2024.

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Keywords: Healthy Environments, Inclusiveness, Healing architecture.

Affiliation: Department of Architecture/Faculty of Engineering, Menoufia University, Egypt

Corresponding Author Email: safaai21@yahoo.com   Authors’ ORCID iDs

Figure 1. New Gorna village in Luxor Designed by the Father of the Egyptian sustainability  architecture.

Architect Hassan Fathy the architect who designed for the poor He favored the use of economic building materials. And Ethnic Designs.