Cittaslow Metropolis can Save the Planet
ORVIETO, Italy, Aug. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In the last decade many big cities, from Busan to Barcelona, from Bruxelles to Taipei, asked Cittaslow to work together to improve quality of life and to spread the Cittaslow philosophy in metropolitan areas. The International Cittaslow Association has been active in many countries since 1999, this provides a well-established experience in 32 different countries. The Cittaslow Metropolis model was created to satisfy this need, a need which becomes strategic for the entire planet. The concept has been developed by the Cittaslow Metropolis International Working Group coordinated by HQ in Italy with French, South Korean and Turkish Cittaslow managers, the Izmir Mayor and Cittaslow Vice-President Tunç Soyer, the İzmir based institutions, academics, NGOs and local people. "After over two years of piloting the project in three quarters of Izmir," - says the President of Cittaslow, Mauro Migliorini, the Mayor of Asolo (It) - "today we are ready to propose a local government model prioritising slow philosophy and good living." The ideas of civil society representatives, professional institutions, experts, and academics about life specific to İzmir and metropolitan cities in general were analysed together with the prevailing views in this field in the world and compared with the Cittaslow philosophy. Citizens of each neighbourhood choose from a check-list of 'slow actions' and 'projects' the most important projects to realize in their neighbourhood within a certain timeframe. "The City management," – explains the Izmir Mayor, Tunç Soyer - "is checking that the activities that are organised in line with people's needs and Cittaslow principles, are inclusive, planned and programmed. We assure that everyone can access services and activities within the framework of the principles of fairness and equality." Checklists highlight the main areas of focus for development. There are a number of methods proposed to achieve the checklist items. Most of these methods have been tested in İzmir during the Cittaslow Metropolis concept development. One can also find the projects that have been developed and implemented in accordance with Cittaslow's methods in İzmir. The main pillars of the new concept are:
- The Cittaslow Metropolis model was created to satisfy this need, a need which becomes strategic for the entire planet.
- The concept has been developed by the Cittaslow Metropolis International Working Group coordinated by HQ in Italy with French, South Korean and Turkish Cittaslow managers, the Izmir Mayor and Cittaslow Vice-President Tun Soyer, the zmir based institutions, academics, NGOs and local people.
- Most of these methods have been tested in zmir during the Cittaslow Metropolis concept development.
- The Mayors will visit the 3 Cittaslow Metropolis districts of Izmir and will participate in Terra Madre Anatolia.