Paper short abstract:

This paper reflects on the Slow City (Cittàslow) movement. Drawing on existing academic literature, published Cittàslow materials and ethnographic research in UK Slow Cities, I analyse Cittàslow both as a transnational movement and a model for local governance.

Paper long abstract:

The Slow City (Cittàslow) movement was started in Italy in 1999 as a response to what its founders perceive as the 'fast' and globally homogenising times we live in. Cittàslow emphasises local distinctiveness in a context of globalisation by focusing on 'small realities in a more and more global connected world' (Cittàslow Philosophy) and seeking to improve the quality of life locally. Internationally it now has over 50 member towns and in addition to Italy national Cittàslow networks have been set up to manage these in the UK, Germany and Norway in ways that respond to the contexts shaped by different nation states. To be granted Cittàslow accreditation a town must score over 50% in a self assessment process, against specified criteria concerning its environmental and infrastructure policies, the quality of urban fabric, encouragement of local produce, hospitality and community and creation of Cittàslow awareness. Cittàslow towns are expected to continue to develop in these areas through organising and engaging in projects, activities and events that support the cittàslow philosophy (www.cittaslow.net), and through active involvement with the related Slow Food movement.

Cittàslow is gaining momentum across Europe and beyond, with a whole list of towns in the process of applying for accreditation. In Britain Cittàslow UK was set up in 2004 and Cittàslow is now part of Britain's market town's strategy (http://www.cittaslow.org.uk/Cittaslow_UK_background.doc). To date three UK towns have Cittàslow status, Ludlow (Shropshire), Aylsham (Norfolk) and Diss (Norfolk), with others currently in the pipeline. In this paper, taking the UK as a case study I shall analyse Cittàslow from two perspectives.

First, drawing on existing academic literature, published Cittàslow and Slow Food materials and interviews with Cittàslow leaders, I analyse the aims and models proposed by the movement. I shall interrogate the idea of Cittàslow as a transnational movement that, through a series of localised interventions seeks to resist globalisation. Alongside this, though an analysis of my own long term ethnographic research in Aylsham (Norfolk) and comparative reflections on Ludlow and Diss, I shall examine how urban localities are constituted through the sets of knowledge, practices, experiences and identities that Cittàslow policies, activities, events and projects generate. As such I hope to discuss how Cittàslow's ideals are materialised in the culturally specific context and lived reality of a Slow City that is further situated transnationally through the Cittàslow network. Finally I shall reflect on the potential role of Cittàslow UK as a driving force behind shifts in government urban policies in Britain.