Time Waits for No One: Sleep and the Circadian City

Sleep and circadian rhythms are fundamental for health, cognition, and social functioning, yet they are increasingly challenged by modern lifestyles. Research in Latin America offers distinctive insights into these issues, from studies on biological desynchronization to investigations among Toba/Qom communities living with or without access to electricity. These cases reveal how cultural, social, and technological contexts shape internal timekeeping and rest. Building on this evidence, the concepts of sleep capital—sleep as a socially distributed resource—and sleep health diplomacy highlight the need for equity and cooperation in promoting healthy rhythms. The lecture concludes with the emerging notion of the circadian city: an urban framework grounded in the “right to time” and in public policies that foster sleep and circadian health for all.