Cittaslow is a movement that originated in Italy in 1999 and promotes a slower, more balanced approach to urban living. The term "Cittaslow" translates to "slow city" in English, and it is an international network of towns and cities that emphasize quality of life, environmental sustainability, and preserving local traditions and culture.
The Cittaslow movement aims to counteract the negative effects of fast-paced modern life, such as stress, environmental degradation, and the loss of local identity. It encourages communities to focus on improving their overall well-being by embracing a slower pace of life, fostering stronger social connections, and enhancing the quality of the built and natural environment.
To become a member of the Cittaslow network, a town or city must meet a set of criteria related to areas such as environmental sustainability, local food production, support for local businesses, cultural heritage preservation, and promotion of traditional arts and crafts. These criteria are designed to ensure that member communities prioritize sustainable development, maintain their unique character, and provide a high quality of life for residents and visitors.
Cittaslow towns and cities typically implement various initiatives to support their goals, such as reducing traffic congestion, promoting pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, preserving historical landmarks, organizing local festivals and events, supporting local food producers and artisans, and implementing sustainable practices.
The Cittaslow movement has gained recognition and popularity worldwide, with member towns and cities located in different countries across the globe. It has inspired communities to rethink their approach to urban planning and development, emphasizing the importance of sustainability, community well-being, and preserving local identity.
The esteemed International Cittaslow Association has recently included 22 districts from Türkiye on its prestigious list of "calm cities," promoting a slower pace of living and an improved quality of life.
Spanning across 30 countries with over 290 cities, this association advocates for a lifestyle that prioritizes enjoyment and the preservation of local traditions, architecture, cuisine, and historical identity.
Currently, eight Turkish districts are in the process of candidacy for inclusion on the Cittaslow list. Daday in Kastamonu, Eflani in Karabük, Güzelyurt in Aksaray, Yakakent in Samsun, Bayramiç in Çanakkale, Sivrihisar in Eskişehir, Şarköy in Tekirdağ, and Osmaneli in Bilecik are actively working to meet the criteria and join Türkiye's esteemed calm cities.
To join the Cittaslow Association, cities must fulfill 72 criteria related to the environment, infrastructure, slow food, and adherence to the principles of a calm city.
Seferihisar, a district of Izmir, became Turkey's first member of the Cittaslow Association in 2009, marking the beginning of Cittaslow Turkey. Since then, the number of Turkish cities embracing the calm city philosophy has steadily grown, with eight districts currently undergoing the candidacy process.
The "Calm City" distinction is granted to cities that successfully meet criteria encompassing environmental preservation, infrastructure development, urban quality of life, social cohesion, and hospitality. These criteria include measures to ensure air and water cleanliness, reduce visual pollution and traffic noise, and establish efficient bicycle paths.
Currently, 22 locations across 17 provinces have earned their place on the esteemed Cittaslow list. This includes Seferihisar and Foça in western Izmir province, Akyaka and Köyceğiz in southwestern Muğla, Eğirdir and Yalvaç in western Isparta, and Göynük and Mudurnu in northwestern Bolu, with two districts each from these four provinces.
Additionally, Ahlat in Bitlis, Arapgir in Malatya, Finike in Antalya, Gerze in Sinop, Gökçeada in Çanakkale, Güdül in Ankara, Halfeti in Şanlıurfa, Iznik in Bursa, Kemaliye in Erzincan, Perşembe in Ordu, Şavşat in Artvin, Uzundere in Erzurum, Vize in Kırklareli, and Yenipazar in Aydın have also been listed as Cittaslow.
The Cittaslow movement aims to counteract the negative effects of fast-paced modern life, such as stress, environmental degradation, and the loss of local identity. It encourages communities to focus on improving their overall well-being by embracing a slower pace of life, fostering stronger social connections, and enhancing the quality of the built and natural environment.
To become a member of the Cittaslow network, a town or city must meet a set of criteria related to areas such as environmental sustainability, local food production, support for local businesses, cultural heritage preservation, and promotion of traditional arts and crafts. These criteria are designed to ensure that member communities prioritize sustainable development, maintain their unique character, and provide a high quality of life for residents and visitors.
Cittaslow towns and cities typically implement various initiatives to support their goals, such as reducing traffic congestion, promoting pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, preserving historical landmarks, organizing local festivals and events, supporting local food producers and artisans, and implementing sustainable practices.
The Cittaslow movement has gained recognition and popularity worldwide, with member towns and cities located in different countries across the globe. It has inspired communities to rethink their approach to urban planning and development, emphasizing the importance of sustainability, community well-being, and preserving local identity.
The esteemed International Cittaslow Association has recently included 22 districts from Türkiye on its prestigious list of "calm cities," promoting a slower pace of living and an improved quality of life.
Spanning across 30 countries with over 290 cities, this association advocates for a lifestyle that prioritizes enjoyment and the preservation of local traditions, architecture, cuisine, and historical identity.
Currently, eight Turkish districts are in the process of candidacy for inclusion on the Cittaslow list. Daday in Kastamonu, Eflani in Karabük, Güzelyurt in Aksaray, Yakakent in Samsun, Bayramiç in Çanakkale, Sivrihisar in Eskişehir, Şarköy in Tekirdağ, and Osmaneli in Bilecik are actively working to meet the criteria and join Türkiye's esteemed calm cities.
To join the Cittaslow Association, cities must fulfill 72 criteria related to the environment, infrastructure, slow food, and adherence to the principles of a calm city.
Seferihisar, a district of Izmir, became Turkey's first member of the Cittaslow Association in 2009, marking the beginning of Cittaslow Turkey. Since then, the number of Turkish cities embracing the calm city philosophy has steadily grown, with eight districts currently undergoing the candidacy process.
The "Calm City" distinction is granted to cities that successfully meet criteria encompassing environmental preservation, infrastructure development, urban quality of life, social cohesion, and hospitality. These criteria include measures to ensure air and water cleanliness, reduce visual pollution and traffic noise, and establish efficient bicycle paths.
Currently, 22 locations across 17 provinces have earned their place on the esteemed Cittaslow list. This includes Seferihisar and Foça in western Izmir province, Akyaka and Köyceğiz in southwestern Muğla, Eğirdir and Yalvaç in western Isparta, and Göynük and Mudurnu in northwestern Bolu, with two districts each from these four provinces.
Additionally, Ahlat in Bitlis, Arapgir in Malatya, Finike in Antalya, Gerze in Sinop, Gökçeada in Çanakkale, Güdül in Ankara, Halfeti in Şanlıurfa, Iznik in Bursa, Kemaliye in Erzincan, Perşembe in Ordu, Şavşat in Artvin, Uzundere in Erzurum, Vize in Kırklareli, and Yenipazar in Aydın have also been listed as Cittaslow.