Reclaiming birth territory in Northern Ontario: a place-based approach to realizing maternal health architecture

Abstract

The precipitous decline in local healthcare has entrenched the singular dimension of centralized, institutional birth settings, limiting the provision of choice and equitable maternal healthcare in Northern Ontario. Emerging as a response to this critical reflection is the resurgence of midwifery-led care, prompting exploration of architecture’s role in supporting maternal health in Northern Ontario. This thesis expands beyond the individual birthroom experience and engages the spatialization of the maternal continuum of care and sustainable midwifery pedagogy through regional sensibilities. Its intersection envisions the architectural framework for maternal health not merely as a physical place, but as a locale imbued with profound meaning and value, crafted with responsive, diverse, and meaningful architecture to empower mothers and midwives. Advocating for reconceptualizing Birth Centre design, this thesis offers an architectural framework towards reclaiming Northern Ontario’s Birth Territory and acts as an enduring catalyst for agency, dignity, and choice for mothers and their families.