Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
by encouraging people to invest locally (Busse
2011
). Also, Whole Foods Market
Inc., the largest chain of natural and organic food supermarkets in the U.S.A., has
recently introduced an animal welfare labelling programme which tells consumers
exactly how the animals they are consuming were raised (Leeder
2011
), attracting
those who deplore industrial farming.
Cittaslow's diverse origins and the focus upon historic roots have resulted in a
movement that is accredited with 'variety' and 'fluidity', while legalized local ac-
tivism is also organized into a system of both national and international networks.
What Parkins and Craig (
2006
, p. 79) have described as examples of 'explicitly
bureaucratic creations', are united by a shared Cittaslow philosophy that focuses on
taking the time to achieve and to appreciate—in a unique local setting—a differ-
ent lifestyle that favours quality and traditions. Yet the creation of the international
and national Cittaslow networks, the aim to promote open-participation, and the
involvement of the organization in external multi-level governmental associations,
are all moves to go beyond the local. Yet a note of caution about the future needs
to be introduced. There is a tendency of some members of Cittaslow to romanticize
their individual 'uniqueness', which may limit their ability to enter into a wider
politics. This is a challenge that the individual Cittaslow local agencies will have to
face and one that illustrates Massey's (
2005
, p. 182) point that:
will demand far more of the agents of local struggle in the construction of both identity and
politics than there is room for, in that topography where identity seemingly emerges from
the local soil.
If the Cittaslow movement does not address the struggles that participation in a wid-
er politics implies, then membership of the movement may provide little more than
a badge of approval for use in promotional activities. Alternatively, if Cittaslow
members actively engage in a wider politics, not only will they recreate and reshape
their own identities, they will also help to reconfigure the movement as a whole.
This will create a more significant impact upon the general urban scene, but not
only by improving the sustainability and liveability of our towns that other new ur-
ban themes are also persuing. They will also emphasize the often forgotten need for
historic conservation, as well as their unique focus on quality, taste, traditions and
hospitality. These are all important benefits from slow living that rarely appear in
the other new urban strategies that have been developed over the last three decades.
References
Allison, G., Ball, S. Cheshire, P., Evans, A., & Stabler, M. (1996).
The value of conservation?
A literature review of the economic and social value of the cultural built heritage
. London:
English Heritage.
Andrews, G. (2008).
The slow food story: Politics and pleasure
. Montreal: McGill-Queen's Uni-
versity Press.
Beatley, T. (2004).
Native to nowhere: Sustaining home and community in a global age
. Washing-
ton D.C.: Island Press.
Busse, P. (2 October 2011). Slow money and Wisconsin farming, 3.0. Isthmus:
The Daily Page
.
http://www.thedailypage.com/isthmus/article.php?article=32197. Accessed 30 Oct 2012.
