Abstract
Rapid urbanization in Lagos State has intensified pressure on healthcare infrastructure, particularly within maternity hospitals where time-sensitive obstetric care depends on efficient internal circulation systems. Intra-facility delays, often classified as the "third delay," are frequently linked to spatial fragmentation and organizational inefficiencies. Although healthcare design research recognizes circulation as a measurable determinant of workflow efficiency and smart city frameworks promote digital mobility optimization, limited research integrates these approaches within the maternity hospital environments of Lagos. This study investigates how smart city design strategies can enhance circulation systems in maternity hospitals in Lagos State. A qualitative research approach was adopted through a systematic review of twenty peer-reviewed publications (2019–2025) focusing on hospital circulation, maternal healthcare performance, and smart infrastructure integration. Findings indicate that spatial adjacency hierarchy, zoning configuration, and visibility integration significantly influence emergency transfer efficiency. However, most facilities rely on static physical layouts with minimal integration of adaptive digital systems .The study concludes that integrating IoT-enabled monitoring, AI-assisted navigation, and digital mobility frameworks into architectural circulation planning presents a viable pathway for improving maternal healthcare responsiveness and institutional efficiency in rapidly urbanizing contexts.