Cittaslow in the Blue Mountains

In 2006, Cittaslow status was granted to the Blue Mountains which is an Italian concept that places emphasis on a community's culinary and cultural traditions. The Slow Food Movement was instrumental in formulating the successful application for Cittaslow status.

Cittaslow status is awarded to communities that choose to:

• Put in place infrastructure with a focus on environmentally-friendly use of land,
• Preserve the history of their region,
• Support the production and consumption of organic foodstuffs and use of local produce and products,
• Encourage learning aobut food and where it comes from, and
• Encourage a spirit of genuine hospitality towards visitors.

There are only about 100 towns and districts around the world (mostly in Europe) with Cittaslow status, each enjoying the cultural, environmental and economic benefits such membership brings.

The Cittaslow Blue Mountains Working Party are developing projects and events to keep up the momentum after their success in having Katoomba/Blue Mountains declared a Slow City ('Cittaslow').

Some of the projects are to:

• Encourage all Blue Mountains residents to establish their own kitchen garden. An information sheet - A Kitchen Garden in Every Home - will be distributed, containing advice on how to set up a garden and where to obtain a starter pack of seeds and seedlings, as well as tips on, for example, crop rotation and co-operative activity with neighbours.
• Promote public art by holding township meetings to encourage people to tell their stories. Stories will be selected to appear on designated 'story walls' in Mountains villages, decorated by groups, artists and schools. The Working Party will also meet with the Council to explore ways to develop policy for public art - including murals, sculptures and labyrinths as well as the story walls.

Several projects under consideration will focus on Katoomba, and could include:

• Seeking sponsorship for the Katoomba Heritage and Art Walk, so that this brochure can be circulated throughout the region,
• Removable bollards to allow temporary closure of Katoomba Street at certain times for community activities,
• Planter boxes around light posts,
• Strategies to encourage members of the public to keep areas clean and free of vandalism.

Links

• Blue Mountains Slow Food and Cittaslow www.katoombachamber.com/content/view/17/1/
• Cittaslow www.katoombachamber.com/content/view/17/1/
• Slow Food www.slowfood.com/
• Permaculture / Organic gardening / Sustainable Gardening in the Blue Mountains www.bmpermac.blogspot.com/

This item was posted in November 2007.