Luciano Meoni

"Slow" Projects and Characteristics of the Municipality of Cortona

Environmental Protection and Energy: In 2015, the administration reorganized municipal solid waste collection by extending the "door-to-door" system to the historic center and surrounding areas, while also upgrading the collection center in Terontola. All incoming wastewater is treated at the Monsigliolo treatment plant, which has a capacity of 24,000 population equivalents. The Municipality has issued energy-saving guidelines for public employees regarding office operations and has distributed home composting bins following public awareness campaigns.

Urban Quality and Resilience: Although the hilly terrain limits cycling within the town, the area is traversed by the "Sentiero della Bonifica" (Reclamation Trail) and served by shuttle buses ("Pollicino") and mechanical lifts providing access to the historic center. The Municipality leverages technological innovation through interactive kiosks, QR codes for Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL) access, and fiber-optic infrastructure (covering 70% of the territory via cable and 90% via wireless); it has also adopted the "All'Opera per il bene comune" (Working for the Common Good) project and "Collaboration Agreements" for the recovery of common assets (freecycling). A notable project involves the reconstruction of the Terontola primary school using bio-architecture principles.

Agriculture, Local Products, and Traditions: There is a strong commitment to preserving Valdichiana traditions. The Municipality hosts the "Museum of the Agricultural Wagon" in the rural hamlet of Fratticciola, dedicated to farming heritage. Initiatives established include the weekly "Campagna Amica" farmers' market for direct sales and a "Natural Shopping Center" (CCN) in the hamlet of Camucia. Public Dining: School canteens use organic products, PDO and PGI-certified goods, and locally sourced "Chianina" beef.

Hospitality and Slow Tourism: The Municipality of Cortona, in collaboration with the Tuscany Region and CNR-IBIMET, is developing the NECSTOUR project to establish a Tourism Observatory based on sustainability indicators. Four mapped "slow" itineraries are currently active (e.g., "Ancient Horizons" along CAI trails and Roman roads, and "The MAECparco Trails"). Tourist offices employ specialized multilingual staff, and multilingual menus with clearly displayed prices are required for new food service establishments.

Participation and Social Cohesion: There is an excellent network of associations, with 149 registered groups (39 health and social care, 61 sports, and 49 cultural). Inclusion initiatives extend to multicultural areas (home to 72 ethnic groups, with no "ghetto" neighborhoods) and disability support (over €449,000 invested, with protocols signed for the inclusion of students with Special Educational Needs). Notable bottom-up processes include the "Possible City Workshop" (*Laboratorio della Città Possibile*) and the "Slow Workshop" (*Laboratorio Lento*). An international twinning arrangement for development cooperation is in place with San José de los Remates (Nicaragua).