The National Cittaslow Taiwan Coordinating Committee was launched Feb. 23 in Miaoli, reflecting a growing local appreciation for the value of the global slow city movement in helping smaller communities pursue alternative development programs aimed at improving quality of life.
Comprising Dalin Township of Chiayi County in southern Taiwan, Fonglin Township of Hualien County in eastern Taiwan, and Nanzhuang and Sanyi townships in Miaoli County of northern Taiwan, the alliance is established in accordance with the charter of Italy-headquartered Cittaslow International.
Miaoli County Magistrate Hsu Yao-chang said at the launch ceremony that the alliance is set to play a central role in promoting the culture, food, traditional crafts and tourism assets of the four townships, as well as enhancing their global visibility. It will also assist more local townships in obtaining Cittaslow accreditation and initiate exchanges among member communities worldwide, he added.
In response, Cittaslow President Stefano Pisani said he welcomed the ongoing efforts of Taiwan’s public and private sectors in embracing and advancing his organization’s philosophy, which places a premium on ecological conservation, healthy living, enjoying local produce and pursuing sustainable development. Pisani and Cittaslow Secretary-General Pier Giorgio Oliveti are visiting Taiwan for the first time to experience the unique culture of the four townships.
According to Cittaslow, Fonglin was the first in Taiwan admitted to the organization in June 2014, and won the Cittaslow Local Economy Award the following year for a project enhancing appreciation of traditional food and benefiting local producers. The other three townships came on board in early 2016.
Other communities seeking Cittaslow admission are Chishang, Guanshan and Luye townships in southeastern Taiwan’s Taitung County—all of which have passed preliminary review—and Gukeng Township of Yunlin County in western Taiwan.
The Cittaslow network is made up of 228 towns in 30 countries across Asia, Australasia, Europe and North America. In addition to meeting the requirement of sub-50,000 populations, the communities have adopted the organization’s goal of making their parts of the world healthier, greener, happier and slower places to inhabit. (SFC-E)
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