Hospital Garden Design for Cancer Patients: A Case of Malatya Oncology Hospital

Clinical findings have shown that gardens have a positive effect on the mental well-being of patients and also contribute to an improvement in the physical condition. However, cancer patients who have to stay in hospital for a period of time to complete their treatment usually do not have access to open areas with natural elements. Gardens with fresh air and a calm environment help cancer patients control their feelings of hopelessness and anxiety and improve their mental DEPARCH 35 ability to cope with a difficult situation. This study aims to design a hospital garden with therapeutic value and to provide specific design strategies for the healing gardens of cancer patients. To achieve this goal, two balconies of İnönü University Oncology Hospital in Malatya, Turkey, were selected as design examples. The method consists of four consecutive steps: (1) a literature review to determine the design criteria of healing gardens, (2) analysing the case study, (3) identifying the needs and evaluations of cancer patients and experts, and finally (4) developing a list of design strategies based on the data obtained in the previous steps. As a result, specific design principles for the creation of an internal hospital garden were proposed, which can serve as a model for future hospital gardens and also provide practical guidance for architects and landscape architects.