A Study of User Behaviors in a Green Space at a General Hospital for Acutely Ill Patients in Downtown Tokyo

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the utilization of green space on a hospital site. For this purpose, observations of user behaviors were made in the courtyard according to time slots, length of stay,and uses. The results showed differences in time slots and utilization characteristics between local residents and inpatients and between weekdays and weekends. The courtyard was in use across all the time slots as local residents used it too during weekdays. At weekends, which demonstrated different tendencies in utilization from weekdays, inpatients tended to take a walk in the courtyard along with visitors. The hospital maintained close relationships with the community and contributed to it through its existence as well as through medical treatment. Thus, such green space being open to the general public seemed to have great significance.