WHAT IS CITTASLOW?
Cittaslow is a growing network of 135 towns in 20 countries that have adopted a set of common goals and principles to preserve and enhance the quality of life for their residents and visitors. Cittaslow originated out of the concerns of four mayors for preserving the unique identities and sustainability of their small towns. It was formed in Italy in 1999, with the contribution of Carlo Petrini, founder of Slow Food.
CITTASLOW IS ABOUT:
- Demonstrating a sense of caring and concern for your town, its residents, and its visitors.
- Preserving your town’s individual personality, characteristics, and nature.
- Incorporating state of the art technologies without forfeiting traditional heritage.
- Preserving a good quality of life for future generations, assuring a clean environment, fair production, and healthy food for all.
COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF CITTASLOW TOWNS:
- Contain fewer than 50,000 people.
- Commit deeply to preserve and sustain the environment.
- Encourage thoughtful development and use of new technologies for sustainability.
- Foster local culture and preserve heritage traditions.
- Promote healthy eating and lifestyle.
- Support local artisans and businesses.
- Welcome visitors.
- Encourage active participation in community life.
WHAT DO CITTASLOW TOWNS DO?
- Undertake projects focused on sustainability and quality of life issues.
- Connect a broad base of resources in the community.
- Bring local residents together to work collectively for the good of their town.
- Commit to work toward meeting Cittaslow’s tangible goals and principles.
- Exchange ideas and best practices with other member towns in the Cittaslow network.
CITTASLOW TOWNS MEET SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS IN THESE AREAS:
- Environmental protection and sustainability
- Local products
- Hospitality
- Infrastructure, road safety and bicycle paths
- Historic buildings
- New technology
- Cultural and historical values and diversity
- Unique town identity
For more information: http://www.cittaslow.org