Slowdown in Italy's 'Slow Cities'

R O M E, July 25, 2000 -- Some people just can’t stand life in the fast lane.

Those searching for a tranquil dolce vita will now be able to find it in Italy, thanks to “Citta Slow” or “Slow City” — a recently launched project focused on preserving the traditional and distinctive quality of life enjoyed in some of Italy’s smaller cities and towns.

“The American urban model has invaded our cities and risks making Italian towns look the same. We want to stop this kind of globalization,” says Paolo Saturnini, mayor of the Tuscan city of Greve in Chianti.

The “Slow City” project plans to emphasize the rich, cultural, culinary and artistic local traditions of each community.

Pedestrian areas will be enlarged and squares and parks will be made greener with more plants. Car alarms and other noise that disturbs the peace will be banned, and ugly TV aerials, advertising posters, and neon signs will be taken down.

City councils will also insist on the use of recycling and renewable energy sources, and will also introduce ecological transport systems. Parking will be made stress-free by creating more public parking areas, and easily accessible walkways and dedicated bike lanes will cross the city.

But in the “Slow City” way, all improvements will probably come about s-l-o-w-l-y.

Slow Food, Slow Life

The project was born from the idea of the “Slow Food” movement — started in Italy in the 1980s — which promotes leisurely eating and the growing of local, wholesome products to counter the American fast-food onslaught.

Thirty-two Italian city councils, which initially joined the “Slow City” program, have vowed to take further steps in this direction by increasing the numbers of traditional family-style eating establishments, reducing noise pollution, and concentrating on making their towns more relaxing and people-friendly. (see list right of “Slow Cities”)

Italians know that their sought after dolce vita lifestyle stems from attitudes toward food and eating. Courteous hospitality and style in the presentation of local cuisine will therefore be of prime importance in these cities.

Organic local produce will be promoted in all restaurants and genetically modified foods will be banned.

“We can’t stop large, fast-food chains [from] coming here if they request it, but we hope that people who come to our towns will not want to eat exactly the same hamburger they can eat in Melbourne, London or Paris, but want something genuine and different,” said Saturnini.

Not a Luddite Effort

The mayors in these cities, however, are not opposed to progress, they say they simply intend to preserve the traditional way of life.

They want to keep in step with modern technology, like computer networks and optic fibers. These will be used to make these cities easier and even more idyllic to live in. “We are not against the modern world or are revolutionaries in any way, we just want to protect what is good in our lives and keep our unique town character” adds Saturnini.

Most of the cities that have adhered to the program are already considered jewels of urban living, but they will all have to be regularly vetted by a group of experts who will check that “Slow City” standards have been met.

A list of basic specifications is being drawn up this week and certificates will be issued to each town that has qualified.

So far, the 32 councils that have joined the program range from cities in the north to ones in the southernmost tip of Italy.

The future plan is for towns and cities in other countries to adopt these ideals and join together to make this a world-wide movement. And as mayor Sarturnini points out, “ studies have already shown that the inhabitants in these towns and cities live longer and healthier lives.”

These cities now want to make sure their “secret” of good life is recognized elsewhere.