cittaslow What is Cittaslow?
Derives from the Italian for ‘Slow Cities’
A network of towns that have adopted common principles and objectives to enhance their quality of life
Founded in 4 small Italian town in 1999
Originally grew from the Slow Food movement Cittaslow today
An international network of over 132 towns in 20 countries from Australia and South Korea to Austria
Over a dozen active national networks
A growing UK network of 9 towns in England, Scotland and Wales Cittaslow UK network
England - Aylsham, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Cockermouth, Diss, Ludlow, Sturminster Newton
Scotland – Linlithgow and Perth
Wales – Mold Cittaslow towns aim to: Involve the whole community in a gradual process of improvement
Work for a more sustainable local environment
Encourage diversity Promote healthy living
Support and develop local producers, their products, and local businesses
Encourage local culture and traditions
n
Cittaslow membership
For towns of less than 50,000
Over 50 different membership criteria (Cittaslow goals) that applicant towns must address
Accreditation process before towns are admitted into Cittaslow membership
Local steering group needed to manage the application
New goals from 2011
Existing goals are over 10 years old
To be more ambitious in what we achieve in the Cittaslow movement
Common International standard Environmental
Infrastructure
Urban fabric
Local products
Hospitality
Promoting Cittaslow Cittaslow goals Environmental goals
Air and water quality
Reducing light pollution
Energy conservation Environmental goals
Composting and recycling
Integrated traffic management strategies
Support of wildlife & wildlife sites
Environmental Mold Going Carbon Neutral
North Wales Energy Advice Centre (Energy Saving Trust)
Stage 1 – survey 4,500 households for baseline data
Stage 2 – one-to-one advice on energy conservation measures and promote ‘special offers’
Stage 3 – renewables
Stage 4 – survey again Infrastructure Pedestrian and cycle
goals access and public transport
Good, free public toilets
Well-kept green spaces and play areas
Notice boards in key locations
Urban fabric goals
Protection of the built heritage
Good street furniture
Flower displays
Promote eco-friendly architecture Urban fabric goals
Control of litter
Attract local independent retailers Quality of Urban fabric
Mold & District Civic Society
Flintshire County Council
Mold 2000 (business group)
Cadwyn Clwyd
Sense of Place study, £30,000 Rural Development award aim to build on Mold’s local distinctiveness and identifying how the Town may be developed to the greater benefit of residents, businesses and visitors
Local products goals
Increase awareness of healthy eating and good diet
Encourage local schools, hospitals, councils etc to use local produce
Develop training in traditional skills
Preserve local culture and heritage
Encouragement of Local produce and products • Mold Food & Drink Festival • Flintshire County Council • Cadwyn Clwyd
• £20,000 study through European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development to ascertain the future opportunities for the encouragement of local food products in Mold and its hinterland Hospitality goals
Clear signage
Good car parking
Tourist information centre & library
Information packs to new residents
Tourist routes and walks
Supporting initiatives for disadvantaged groups Hospitality Mold Spring Clean
Keep Wales Tidy
Flintshire County Council
Tidy Towns, Welsh Assembly Government, £3,500 award for 4 day clean-up across the Town involving over 650 community volunteers. Also painting benches, litter bins, planters and columns; new planting and weeding
Promoting Cittaslow goals
The promotion of local producers
through a directory
A Cittaslow website
Use of the Cittaslow logo by council
Encouraging local people, and businesses, to help work towards improving performance on these policy headings Why do towns join Cittaslow?
Involves the whole community in developing the town, including local businesses
Commits the Town Council and its partners to working towards a An effective sustainable future and regeneration and builds on the positive promotional tool work already carried out
Why join Cittaslow?
Towns become members of an established, respected network
Independent external quality endorsement
Opportunities to learn from and link with others – nationally and internationally
Opens new markets for local businesses through networks
Accreditation process is a town audit
What we hope to see
GDH
Towns empowered to take the lead in determining their own futures
Greater funding opportunities
Towns, including their businesses, adopting good environmental practices
Local products and produce on sale and being promoted in Cittaslow towns
Preservation and promotion of culture and heritage
More information?
Cittaslow UK conference in Perth, Scotland Friday 26 November 2010 www.cittaslow.org.uk www.cittaslowmold.co.uk