Mubarak Al-Hasawi Medical Institute, Sharjah, UAE - Ideas for Creating Healthcare Cities

Ken Schwarz
Principal, NBBJ, London, UK
(Click to download full paper)

The Mubarak Al-Hasawi Medical Institute (MHMI) is the initial development of a new Healthcare City (HCC) located in the United Arab Emirates state of Sharjah.

The MHMI complex is a facility that promotes health and wellness as well as achieving a high standard of healthcare. Numerous hospital clinics are surrounded by mixed-use components that support a sustainable built environment. MHMI resulted from the project’s development and business planning process which needed a revenue generating component to support its development. The solution to incorporate various commercial aspects was developed according to need and efficiency and composed to ensure a strong architectural presence for this important institution.

The intention of this paper will be:

to inform of the process encountered by NBBJ while working on the MHMI project
to present an analysis of the planning requirements for a healthcare city
to describe the financial benefits of using creative ideas
to introduce creative solutions that initiate the promotion of public health through a high quality designed sustainable environment.

Objectives
The two year design period for the MHMI project will be explored and analysed to help present creative ideas for the design of healthcare cities while promoting public health through a sustainable project.

Methods used
By researching the MHMI hospital as a case study the objectives listed above will be addressed through the project’s design, process and project development. Drawings, images and photographs will be shown to facilitate with the explanation of results.

Typical topics of focus will include:
Creative design solutions for healthcare cities
The project's development of a sustainable environment
The important use of internal and external common spaces to improve public health
How MHMI design concepts promote health and wellness principles
Strategic benefits of employing creative landscaping
Economic benefits of employing high quality design

Conclusions
By describing the MHMI case study the audience will be informed of how creative ideas can be employed to establish sustainable environments while simultaneously promoting public health to all its users.