about finding solutions to local issues,
oftenusingnew technology.”
Inotherwords, it’s not all knitting
hemp. InOrvieto, theUmbrian town
whereCittaslow International is based,
Cittaslowhasmeant a new transport
systemwith electric and gas buses, and
a newmultistorey car parkwith 2,000
places, using recycledmaterials from
anoldpipeline tunnel. InAbbiategrasso,
nearMilan, it’smeant protecting a green-
belt area from a newmall being built; in
Mirande, in the southof France, they now
meet a thirdof the town’s energy needs
using solar panels; Midden-Delfland, in
theNetherlands, has become a green
recreation area between TheHague and
Rotterdam; andHalfeti, a historic town in
Anatolia, has startedpromoting its black
roses and famous peanuts.
SaysOliveti: “Cittaslow is about
heritage, culture, local identity, the
environment and social interactions –
butmost of all it’s about letting people
leadbetter andhappier lives.We can’t
let economicsmake us forget life and
happiness.”
cittaslow.org
Orvieto is less than twohours’drive from
Rome;Norwegianflies toRome from
Oslo,Bergen,Copenhagen,Stockholm,
Gothenburg,HelsinkiandLondon.
Bookflights,ahotelandarental carat
norwegian.com
When
Levanger
went slow
Levanger isoneof three
NorwegianCittaslows
(EidskogandSokndal
are theothers),having
joined in2004.Robert
Svarva is themayorof
thecentralNorwegian
townwithapopulation
of around9,000.He
says: “Cittaslowhas
helpedusappreciate
thequalityofour
local culture, food,
architecture.”
gamle.
levanger.kommune.no
Involve locals
“Youcan’t justdecide
tobeaCittaslow town,
ithas tocome from the
groundupwards,” says
Svarva. “It’s important
to involve independent
organisationsandget the
poulationbrainstorming.”
In2013Levanger setupa
CittaslowCouncil tohelp
promote themovement.
Make the most of
what you’ve got
Levangerhasa regular
farmer’smarket in the
central square, and the
townhaswonprizes for
itsfloral displays–all
events thathavegrown
underCittaslow.
Encourage youth
“Themovementmust
beanchored in young
people sowehave
startedexchangeswith
the so-calledcapital
ofCittaslow,Orvieto,”
Svarva says. “Youth
opinion is very important
– they’re going to live a
very long time.”
This page
⁄
(
clockwise
fromabove
)
Cittaslow
members
Halfeti in
Turkey;
Orvieto,
Italy, the
homeof the
organisation;
andFinland’s
Kristinestad
ALAMY; GETT Y; WILLY HARALDSEN / NTB SCANPIX
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