2015
Wednesday
November
25

Innovation TU Berlin: Cittaslow – an innovative network of small urban centres

The Graduate School welcomes Pier Giorgio Oliveti (Secretary General Cittaslow International).

In 1999 the international network Cittaslow – Rete internazionale delle città del buon vivere (International Network of Cities Where Living is Easy) was founded in Italy. Today there are more than 200 member cities in 30 countries around the world. Member cities are small urban centres with less than 50.000 inhabitants. The idea of the “slow” movement is considered a direct response to a widely felt acceleration within society against the background of globalization. Cittaslow seeks to adapt the idea of “slow” to an urban dimension. Member cities of Cittaslow try to propose an alternative urban model with a slow rhythm based on local economy and handicraft, ecological sustainability, local identity, enhancement of local history and culture. The association actively supports new technological ideas, a way to help develop a place into a qualitatively better direction or foster local potentials.

Why do smaller cities decide to develop in a slow manner?  Is “slow” a simply retrospective idea or does it lead to innovative urban development? Isn’t it a contradiction to be critical to globalization on the one hand and to create an urban network all around the world on the other hand?

These and more questions can be discussed with Pier Giorgio Oliveti, Secretary General of Cittaslow International.

INFO: www.innovation.tu-berlin.de

Everyone interested is very welcome to join us for this public lecture and discussion. 

When: 25.11.2015, 18-20 Uhr

Where: Room FH 919, TU Berlin, Fraunhoferstr. 33-36, 10587 Berlin