Cittaslow is an international slow city movement founded in Italy in 1999 that promotes sustainability, local culture and products, and community involvement. The town of Aylsham in the UK joined this movement in an effort to improve environmental initiatives, infrastructure, and hospitality offerings through community-led projects and partnerships. Some examples of Aylsham's Cittaslow activities include an annual food festival, recycling programs, and a local car sharing club. Membership in Cittaslow provides benefits like increased community engagement and opportunities through the international network.

1. Cittaslow
Mo Anderson-Dungar
Aylsham Town Clerk
01263 733354
e: townclerk@aylsham-tc.gov.uk

2. Aylsham - a Cittàslow Town

3. The History
 “Cittaslow” is Italian for “Slow Town or City”
 Founded in 1999 in 4 Italian towns
 Grew from the Slow Food Movement
 Now a fast growing international network of 147
towns in 24 countries
 A growing UK network of towns – Aylsham, Diss,
Mold Berwick-upon-Tweed, Perth, with Penarth
almost completing the accreditation process
 Perth & Kinross Council is a “Cittaslow Supporter

4. Why in Aylsham?
• Goals – Categories
– Environmental
– Infrastructure
– Urban Fabric
– Local Products
– Hospitality
– Promoting Cittàslow

5. Aylsham
• Sustainability not
regeneration
• Community owned
• Led by democratically
elected town council
• Endorses Broadland
Community Plan, County
Plan, national
Government strategies
and policies

6. But ………
• Difficult for all to understand as Aylsham did not have to
change – no immediately obvious “quick fix”
• A “foreign” organisation with a different system of local
government
• Apart from the goals, there is no set rule book – which
emphasises that every community is unique

7. Activities
• Sustainable
activities
• Food Festival
• Carnival/Christmas
• Arts/Music events
• Specialist Markets
• Links to other
authorities/agencies

8. Pilot Projects
• Plastic Bag Free
Campaign
• WEEE Day
• Split litter bins to take
recyclable items
• Aylsham Car Club

9. Snail build and Snail Trail…..
• Local schoolchildren made
snails from recycled
materials
• They were displayed in
local shops as a “Snail
Trail”

10. Benefits for Aylsham
• Raising the profile of the
town and surrounding area
• Better rapport with
Principal Authorities
• Cittaslow „umbrella‟ brings
projects and groups
together
• Opportunities from being
part of a national and
international network

11. More information:
www.aylsham-tc.gov.uk
www.cittaslow.org.uk
www.slowfoodaylsham.org.uk
www.slowfood.org.uk