Cittaslow, Serenity Away From Metropolises
Cittaslow, meaning “Slow City” in Italian, is the name of the movement that began in October 1999 in Italy as a result of the strains placed on people’s social, physical, and cultural environments by urban life. This movement, which centers on the human being, opposes the chaotic environments and turmoil of metropolises and big cities, advocates for land to be used for development rather than occupation, emphasizes the cultivation of organic products as opposed to genetically modified ones, and aims to preserve the region’s culture and traditions while encouraging local production.
The Cittaslow philosophy, which has rapidly spread beyond Italy, has found examples in Sweden, Norway, South Korea, Austria, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, England, Poland, and Spain. In our country, cities with a population of under 50,000 that can meet at least half of the evaluation criteria and have been successful can become candidates for this movement, represented by Seferihisar.
Considering the increasing pace of today's world and how technology, while simplifying human life, also distances us from nature, it would not be wrong to say that Cittaslows will increase rapidly. In all our lives, there is a longing for a slower life, away from haste, crowds, noise, electromagnetic fields, and environmental, noise, and traffic pollution, a life lived in peace and in defiance of the daily rush. Following Seferihisar, the recognition of Gökçeada as the world's calmest island is promising for the spread of the slow city concept in our country. We know that many of our cities and districts have joined the Cittaslow category and that new ones are in preparation, and we wish for their numbers to increase day by day. 
