ABSTRACT
This paper examined users’ preferences for landscape design of grounds and spaces surrounding hospitals, in order to assess how they perceived the landscape facilities so as to make future open spaces of hospitals suitable to users’ needs. The method of the research was based on quantifying a questionnaire survey of a representative sample of personnel (doctors, nurses, administrative staff and medical students) by using the stratified sample research programme that was carried out in March 2007 at the University Hospital of the city of Alexandroupolis, situated in northeastern Greece. The results of study show that users of hospital cared about footpaths, resting areas, social and public spaces, personal spaces, water features and a dominant, limited range of colors in landscaping. They also require environment that supports the principles and specifications of Therapeutic Hospital Gardens. Based on the results of this research, (a) interventions have been proposed (e.g., footpaths, resting areas, social and public spaces, personal spaces, water features and a dominant, limited range of colors in landscaping), and (b) the principles and specifications for the landscape design of Therapeutic Hospital Gardens have also been evaluated and have been redefined in the light of the study findings. These results also provide the opportunity for health care decision makers to apply and to incorporate user considerations into overall landscape design for current and future health care programs.