• Economic benefits for small business • Networking benefits for urban planning • Social benefits for a more cohesive community

International network of “slow cities”

1

Getting things done inSebastopol

is a bit like…

2

Herding cats!

3

Artists

4

Farmers

5

Business Owners

6

Environmentalists

7

Techies

8

Political Activists

9

Finding common ground isn’t always easy

10

Could there be a group with an umbrella philosophy?

11

Could there be a group with an umbrella philosophy?

• Supports local products– Agriculture– Creative Arts

• Promotes hospitality(“Slow travel”)

12

Could there be a group with an umbrella philosophy?

• Uses new technologies• Encourages connectivity

between people, businesses and organizations

13

Could there be a group with an umbrella philosophy?

• Preserves environment• Creates human-friendly

infrastructure

14

There is! Cittaslow(pronounced “chee-TAH sloh”)

15

Unique as we are

16

There are many small cities like usaround the world

17

The Slow Food Movement

18

Slow Food Philosophy

• Local produce• Local culture• High quality• Slowly simmered• Served in a beautiful

environment• Enjoyed with others

19

Began as a Mayors’ Network

• Supports local products (agriculture & the arts)

• Promotes hospitality (“Slow travel”)

• Uses technology wisely• Encourages community

connectedness• Preserves environment• Creates human-friendly

infrastructure20

Cittaslow: International Network

21

Sebastopol has been a “slow city”for years

• Supports local products (agriculture & the arts)

• Promotes hospitality (“Slow travel”)

• Uses technology wisely• Encourages community

connectedness• Preserves environment• Creates human-friendly

infrastructure22

Sebastopol achieved highest scoreof applicant cities in the USA

23

What Cittaslow does for us

• Promotes awareness• Improves exposure

– Facebook– Twitter– YouTube

• Sponsors events• Facilitates connections• Provides collateral

24

Economic Benefits

• National / International exposure

• “Slow travel”• Good for local business• Create events and

programs• Volunteers do the work

25

Networking Benefits

• National / International support

• Connecting with other mayors & councils

• Learn from experience of others

26

Social Benefits

• Common ground across multiple sectors

• Not re-inventing the wheel

• Community cohesion and resilience

27

What we have done so far

• Developed proposal for public-private partnership

• Acquired matching grant for international membership dues

• Obtained initial endorsements

28

Next Steps

• Authorize Steering Committee

• Match 50% for international membership dues

• Recruit Steering Committee members

• Create membership & work group structures

• Identify projects29

Let’s get going!

• Authorize Steering Committee

• Match 50% funding for international membership dues (≈$1050)

30