Cittaslow Türkiye Coordination 

(May 04, 2024) – Cittaslow Districts Meeting

Within the Cittaslow Network membership process, Antalya Metropolitan Municipality organized training sessions on preparing Cittaslow application files for the districts of İbradı, Elmalı, Demre, and Akseki.

(June 20-23, 2024) – Cittaslow International General Assembly Meeting – Italy

Antalya Metropolitan Municipality completed the process of joining the Cittaslow Network with its projects aimed at preserving environmental, cultural, and social values. Its membership was approved at the Cittaslow International General Assembly held in Italy on June 20-23, 2024.

(July 13-14, 2024) – Cittaslow Extraordinary Türkiye General Assembly Meeting

The Cittaslow Türkiye General Assembly Meeting, hosted by Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, was attended by mayors from 17 member cities, representatives of slow cities, and academics. Mayor Muhittin Böcek was unanimously elected as the Cittaslow Türkiye Coordinator, and it was decided to establish an office in Antalya.

(September 4, 2024) – Technical Visit to Cittaslow Candidate İbradı

To accelerate İbradı’s Cittaslow membership process, the application file was reviewed on-site, and a detailed meeting was held with the İbradı Municipality. During the review, criteria identified as incomplete were determined, and a roadmap for improvement was created. The application file was sent to the Cittaslow Headquarters in Italy for the official membership process.

(September 18, 2024) – Cittaslow Türkiye National Network Meeting – Isparta, Eğirdir

Antalya Metropolitan Mayor and Cittaslow Türkiye Coordinator Muhittin Böcek organized a meeting in Isparta Eğirdir with the Cittaslow Türkiye management, member, and candidate mayors. During the meeting, the municipalities’ activities, tourism, sustainability, and collaboration opportunities were evaluated. This was followed by an on-site technical visit and inspection.

(October 9, 2024) – CittaPro Project Training Series for Cittaslow Members

The 12-week online training organized under CittaPro aims to enhance the project preparation capacity of Cittaslow member municipalities by guiding them through application processes to funding institutions. Covering topics such as monitoring grant calls, preparing project proposals, and project cycle management, the training registered 53 participants, with 42 attending the first session held on October 9 2024.

(October 25, 2024) – Cittaslow International Coordination Committee Meeting

Antalya Metropolitan Municipality successfully represented Türkiye at the Cittaslow International Coordination Committee Meeting held in Rome. At the meeting, Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality and Cittaslow Türkiye Network Coordinator Muhittin Böcek was unanimously elected as Cittaslow International Vice President. At the meantime, İbradı became the 26th member of Cittaslow Türkiye, which consisted of 25 members.

(December 19-21, 2024) – Cittaslow Türkiye National Network Meeting – Ordu-Perşembe

The meeting chaired by Mayor Muhittin Böcek was held in Ordu, hosted by Perşembe Mayor Cihat Albayrak. Perşembe, İbradı and Finike municipalities shared current developments. Mayor Böcek emphasised that Antalya will contribute to the Cittaslow process. Participants examined Perşembe’s practices and decided to establish a tourism-focused working group.

Cittaslow Metropolis Antalya Yeşilbayır Neighbourhood

The Cittaslow Metropolis approach promotes a calm and sustainable lifestyle in large cities. At the Cittaslow International General Assembly held in Città Sant’Angelo, Italy, on 20–23 June 2024, Antalya received the “Cittaslow Supporter” certificate and committed to developing model projects for sustainable living. Yeşilbayır Neighborhood was selected as the pilot area, and technical meetings and field studies are currently in progress.

Yeşilbayır Nature and Culture Route

Initiated with the approval and permits from national authorities, in line with Cittaslow’s criteria for the “Preservation and Development of Cultural, Natural, and Urban Heritage.” The region is home to 104 monumental olive trees, the oldest being 513 years old, with six trees over 500 years of age. These trees have been registered as natural monuments and are marked with informational signs that highlight the cultural and natural values of the area. In collaboration with local authorities, meticulous efforts have been made to preserve the cultural heritage of Yeşilbayır and to document its biodiversity. Our goal is to protect the historical and natural richness of the region, creating a valuable exploration area for nature enthusiasts and cultural explorers.

ChipBIS (Smart Bicycle Chip System)

ChipBIS (Smart Bicycle Chip System) is an exciting project that brings cyclists together on a single digital platform, focusing on safety, tracking, and rewards. The aim is to collect real-time data to improve urban mobility and make our city more sustainable. The project also emphasizes bicycle security, improved infrastructure, and community involvement. While the project will eventually expand throughout Antalya, it will first be tested in Yeşilbayır as a pilot neighborhood. This initiative aligns perfectly with Cittaslow’s vision of sustainable mobility.

Urban Heat Island Effect in Yeşilbayır

As part of Cittaslow’s “Urban Resilience” approach, which focuses on analyzing the urban heat island effect and finding ways to reduce it, we carried out a study in Yeşilbayır. The analysis showed that areas with a lot of rubble had much higher temperatures, which was confirmed by on-site measurements. But after cleanup efforts were made, the temperatures dropped, and the pollution was cleared up.

Cittaslow Park Project

The cittaslow park project aims to create a sustainable and nature-friendly living space in Yeşilbayır, covering an area of 14,000 m². The park will feature a 63 m² restroom area with separate facilities for women, men, and individuals with disabilities, a 70 m² women’s coffeehouse, and a 47 m² amphitheater for cultural events and social gatherings. Women from Döşemealtı will have the opportunity to sell their handmade products, and Döşemealtı Carpets will be exhibited in the park. The project aims to both enrich social life and preserve local culture.

Akyaka/Ula Municipality

Slow Food Local Organic Product Days

Slow Food Local Organic Product Days were held every Sunday at the Akyaka Marketplace, providing a platform for local producers to offer their natural products directly to consumers. The event supported healthy eating, local agriculture, and traditional production methods. Additionally, workshops for children aimed to instil environmental awareness and sustainable food values from an early age.

New Fish, Old Flavours Project

Launched in October 2024, this initiative rediscovered traditional fish species and recipes of the Gökova Gulf, raising public awareness about sustainable fishing methods and preserving local gastronomy

Azmak River Conservation and Ecosystem Restoration Project

The conservation project for the Azmak River included habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, environmental rehabilitation, and community clean-up campaigns, making a significant contribution to preserving the river’s ecosystem.

Nature-Friendly Akyaka Project

The expansion of bicycle lanes, improvement of pedestrian routes, and promotion of eco-friendly transportation alternatives formed the core of this initiative. Special “Car-Free Days” were organized to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable mobility among residents and visitors.

Art in the Slow City Gatherings

To enrich Akyaka’s cultural life, events such as art exhibitions, concerts, nature-themed workshops, and creative camps for young artists were organized, boosting cultural vibrancy and community participation.

Arapgir Municipality

Geographical Indication Applications

Applications have been submitted to register five traditional Arapgir delicacies as geographically indicated products.

  • Arapgir Gelin Kız Halva
  • Arapgir Mahluta Soup
  • Arapgir Purple Basil Sherbet
  • Arapgir Fish Pilaf
  • Arapgir Borani

Arts & Cultural Events

Cultural life in our district has gained momentum with theatre performances, festivals, concerts, and creative workshops.

  • The solo play ‘Nefes’ was brought to the stage
  • The Hıdırellez Festival was celebrated with various events.
  • The book “Reyhan Eker Misin” was launched with a photo exhibition and signing session.
  • A seminar on natural farming and heirloom seeds was held.
  • A traditional folk music night took place.
  • Music workshops were organized to engage local youth.
  • A festival on Aging, Health, and Wellbeing was successfully carried out.

Promotion & Photography Projects

Efforts to document and promote the people and culture of Arapgir continue through photography and media collaborations.

  • Elderly residents (65+) are being photographed for a special book project.
  • Arapgir Dolaması and local culture were featured on Kanal 7.
  • Documentary-style broadcasts were filmed in collaboration with Ülke TV.

International & Academic Events

Arapgir hosted events that highlighted its cultural heritage to international academics and tourism professionals.

  • The 4th International Oghuz Tribes Symposium was held.
  • Travel agencies from China and South Korea visited Arapgir for a tourism promotion tour.

Historical and cultural landmarks are being preserved for future generations with dedicated project support.

  • 51 registered structures in the district received restoration project funding.

Finike Municipality

Kale Neighbourhood Cittaslow Finike Junction Arrangement Project

The Cittaslow logo helps cities gain identity and raise awareness. With this in mind, the “Kale Neighborhood Cittaslow Finike Junction Arrangement Project” was launched in 2024 to enhance the recognition of our district’s Cittaslow identity, and it was 100% completed in the first quarter of 2025. The project was implemented at the junction in front of the Finike Municipality Culture House.

 

Finike Municipality 2nd Cittaslow Kids Festival

As part of the Cittaslow Sunday week, where all Cittaslow around the world hold events, we aimed to carry out activities to raise Cittaslow awareness in our children as a theme, and we started to do this with the “Finike Municipality Cittaslow Children’s Festival” as of 2023. With a City Council Decision, we took on 06.09.2024, we decided to hold this traditionally every year during Cittaslow Sunday week and we are implementing the decision.

Our Participation in SMART CITY EXPO WORLD

 CONGRESS 2024

Finike and Ahlat Municipalities received support under the EU–Turkey Town Twinning Program and participated in the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona on November 5–7, 2024. Representatives gained knowledge and developed networks for collaboration and project support.

 

 

 

 

Establishing Sister City Relationship with Cittaslow Olecko Project

At the general assembly meetings of 2023 and 2024, good relations were established between the representatives of the cities from the Polish national network, especially Olecko, and the representatives of our Municipality. By developing these relations, the ‘Sister City Protocol’ was signed between Finike and Olecko at a signing ceremony held in Olecko on 18.12.2024.

Gerze Municipality 

Children’s Festival

Between July 20–30, 2024, a 10-day Children’s Festival was organized in the district, offering children complimentary activities including Wooden Toy Crafting, Wooden Toy Painting workshops, personal development seminars, and various other events.

Open-Air Nostalgia Cinema Event

As part of the district’s most significant cultural activities, the 7th edition of the Open-Air Cinema Project was successfully organized, offering complimentary film screenings for both adults and children.

Cittaslow Sunday Event

During the 5-day event, a productive festival was organized by setting up a street that showcased all local handicraft workshops and traditional delicacies in the district. The program included various activities such as children’s workshops, adult workshops, events, and talks.

Olive Tree Planting Event

The Gerze Municipality planted olive saplings together with children in designated green areas throughout the district, becoming a breath of hope for future generations.

İbradı Municipality

The Summit of the Taurus Mountains İbradı

The project titled “The Summit of the Taurus Mountains İbradı,” led by İbradı Municipality and currently in the approval phase, aims to designate the district as a Dark Sky Park and promote astro-tourism. The project focuses on combating light pollution, raising awareness in astronomy, encouraging youth to pursue space sciences, supporting eco- and astro-tourism, and enhancing the international recognition of İbradı.

Ormana The Best Tourism Villages of 2024 by UN Tourism

Ormana is a historic village with Hellenistic origins, surrounded by the Taurus Mountains, and features unique architecture. Enriched with historical remains such as the Erymna Ancient City and Tol Han Caravansarai, the village preserves its cultural heritage through sustainable tourism and community-based festivals. Ormana was recognized as one of the Best Tourism Villages of 2024 by UN Tourism, highlighting its commitment to preserving cultural and natural assets, as well as its dedication to economic, social, and environmental sustainability. The “Best Tourism Village” award was presented to Hatice Sekmen, Mayor of İbradı, by the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy.

Kemaliye Municipality

Kemaliye Tourism Workshop

The Kemaliye Tourism Workshop was attended by members of parliament, deputy governors, district governors, mayors, KUDAKA representatives, and academics. The workshop discussed topics such as culture, nature, sports, caravan camping, and religious tourism. It also emphasized the creation of integrated tourism routes with neighboring districts like Arapgir and Divriği.

102nd Anniversary of Kemaliye’s Name and 101st Anniversary of the Republic Celebrations

Kemaliye celebrated the 102nd anniversary of its name and the 101st anniversary of the Republic with vibrant events. The official ceremonies featured poetry nights, musical performances, a Zafer Döner concert, boat tours, and a lantern parade, creating a festive atmosphere. To engage a wider audience, youth-oriented trips and magic shows for children were also organized, ensuring that the celebrations were inclusive and enjoyable for all ages.

8/24 Erzincan Promotion Days

Kemaliye Municipality set up a booth to promote the district’s historical, cultural, and natural values. The event was attended by the governor, district governor, and mayor.

45th Kemaliye (Eğin) International Nature Sports Festival

The 45th Kemaliye International Nature Sports Festival, one of Türkiye’s most important nature events, was held successfully. This event, focused on nature and sports tourism, significantly contributed to promoting Kemaliye.

Perşembe Municipality

Bike Path

The Perşembe Municipality has launched a 3-stage Bicycle and Green Walkway Project to add value to the district. This project, which will stretch approximately 2 kilometers from Perşembe Port along the Bolaman line, will include a bicycle path, walking paths, seating areas, bicycle parking, and decorative lighting poles. The project aims to make Perşembe a more livable place and enhance its urban aesthetics. Additionally, to encourage young people to use bicycles, bicycles were given to students on Semester End Day.

Vona Local Products Indoor Marketplace Construction

The construction of the Vona local products indoor marketplace, which started with a contract signed on 16/11/23, has reached 95%. The 1,650 m² space will feature 7 workplaces, 44 vendors, and 24 stalls for local women. The project is expected to be completed by April

Cittaslow National Network Meeting

Within the scope of our Cittaslow membership, the Slow City Cittaslow National Network meeting was held in our district for our District Promotion and the natural beauties and local dishes of our district were introduced to other member and candidate districts.

Cittaslow Perşembe Supports Women Entrepreneurs

To support our women entrepreneurs in the Cittaslow Perşembe District, we provide municipality-supported land allocation to our Women’s Cooperatives and contribute to advertising for the promotion of local products. We are always by the side of our women entrepreneurs in our district, which attracts the attention of visitors due to the privilege of being a Cittaslow member.

Safranbolu Municipality

Viticulture Training

Held at the Yazıköy Agricultural Training Center, residents participated in hands-on training sessions to revive traditional grape cultivation, especially the region-specific Çavuş grape.

Saffron Producers Market

During the annual Saffron Festival, local farmers showcased saffron and saffron-based products, emphasizing the cultural and economic significance of this ancient crop.

Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP)

Participated in international forums in Vilnius to collaborate on waste management, water treatment, alternative energy, and climate challenges.

Agricultural Education for Children

Young students learned about soil, seasons, and sustainability, nurturing environmental awareness and Cittaslow values from an early age

Traditional Hıdırellez Celebrations

Community gathered to celebrate this ancient spring festival, highlighting collective spirit, cultural continuity, and harmony with nature.

Purple Flag Certification

25 local businesses received this eco-label for complying with sustainable, clean, and healthy operation standards

Recycling Awareness for Children

Kids created art with waste materials, promoting early environmental consciousness and hands-on creativity.

Local Product Market

A dedicated space was created to support local producers and promote healthy, additive-free, traditional food.

Cittaslow Sunday Events

Citizens participated in walks and bike rides through historical areas, concluding with organic seed distribution to foster nature engagement.

Seferihisar Municipality

Ion Route Project

Aims to protect Seferihisar’s coastline and islands by preserving natural and cultural heritage and promoting sustainable tourism through awareness and community engagement.

Agriculture & Local Production

  • Can Yücel Seed Center: Preserves local seeds and supports organic farming.
  • Seed Exchange Festival: Promotes traditional farming.
  • Local Producers’ Markets: Enable direct sales by farmers.
  • Agricultural Cooperatives: Strengthen collective production and marketing.

Social Projects

  • Children’s Municipality & Day Care Center: Promote child participation and development.
  • Seferiçınar Aging Centre: Offers activities for citizens over 50.

Environmental Actions

  • Environmental Guardians & Cleaning Campaigns
  • “Waste Oil for Pet Food” Campaign
  • Zero Waste Education in Schools

Public Spaces

  • Sığacık Social Facility & Hıdırlık 100th Anniversary Park: Provide affordable services and green areas.
  • Public Markets & Seferi Grocer: Offer healthy, local products at fair prices.
  • Tourism Office: Promotes local tourism.

Micro Routes

Promotional routes such as Mandarin Road (Doğanbey-Ürkmez), Karakılçık Road (Ulamış), and Lavender Road (Turgut) support village economy and culture.

Youth & Festivals

  • “Youth Speaks” UNDP Project: Encourages youth participation in local governance.
  • Teos Children’s Culture & Ecology Festival: Includes workshops on heritage, nature, and creativity.
  • Water Awareness Festival: Focused on water conservation through fun learning.
  • Mandarin Festival: Celebrates the town’s signature fruit.
  • Ancient Bread & Armola Festival: Highlights local food traditions and ancestral seeds.

Şarköy Municipality

Grape Harvest Festival

As part of the Cittaslow philosophy, events such as a grape stomping contest, a molasses-making workshop, and vinegar-making with MasterChef Araz AKNAM were organized.

Children’s Festivals and Sports Courses

Festivals, sports course, and bicycle tours were held for children.

Şarköy Card Program

Over 5,000 people received discounts on municipal services, and assistance such as food, clothing, and baby formula was provided to those in need.

Vocational Training Courses

In collaboration with the Public Education Centre, courses in painting, carpet weaving, handicrafts, and violin were offered.

Elderly Support Center Services

Transportation services were provided for 178 patients, and medical support was given to 106 patients.

Stray Animal Support Project

Health services were provided to stray animals, and feeding stations were set up.

Cittaslow Sunday

An international painting workshop was organized, and local delicacies prepared by Şarköy women were presented.

Zero Waste Project

A total of 390,170 kg of waste was recycled.

Road Improvement and New Parks

Road improvement work was carried out on 80,000 m², and new children’s parks were opened.

SeraPark Project

Eco-friendly plant production was initiated, and plant cultivation workshops for children were held.

World Environment Day Events

Activities such as face painting, the Fancy Women Bicycle Tour, and a concert were organized.

Şavşat Municipality

Mother’s Day Celebration Event

A Mother’s Day celebration event was held with the participation of all women in our district, keeping traditions alive and honoring the mothers of martyrs.

Turkish Cuisine Week Event

Participation was provided in the event where geographically indicated products, Şavşat Cuisine and local products were promoted.

Children’s Festival

Children’s festivals were organized for the children of the city hosted by the Children’s Municipality.

Education Assistance Payment to University Students

Education assistance payments have been started for the children of families living in our district who are studying at university

Sustainable Ecotourism Route

In line with the vision of sustainable tourism, the construction of our country’s longest Ecotourism Route, which is 110 km long and includes bicycle paths, wooden bridges, fountains and observation terraces, has been initiated.

Sky Observation Festival Within the Scope of Tourism Development

A sky observation festival was organized in the lands close to the sky within the scope of the promotion of our district and the development of tourism.

Public Concerts on Official Holidays

Public concerts were organized with the participation of local artists in order for the people of the district to live in social harmony and come together.

Promotion of the District and Development of Tourism

Increasing the tourism potential of the district Tourism, Promotion and Development Meetings were held with the participation of Tour Operators of the Black Sea Region.

Transferring Tradition and Culture to Future Generations

The festival was organized to transfer the 300-year-old Karüstü Karakucak Wrestling tradition to future generations.

Elderly Week Celebration Event

During Elderly Week, visits were made to the elderly living quarters, problems were listened to, and an entertainment program was organized.

Branding and Marketing of Local Products

Marketing and branding activities of products produced in the Local Products processing, storage and packaging facility were initiated under the name of Yörem Şavşat.

Uzundere Municipality

Tourism and Promotion Activities

  • Placement of Cittaslow-Uzundere signs.
  • Initiation of the process to join “Europe’s Quality Destination Network.”
  • Development of a website design for accommodation and dining establishments.

Environmental and Nature Conservation Projects

  • Tortum Lake was designated as “Nationally Important Wetland” and the Ramsar process was initiated.
  • In collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change, Archaeological Sites and Natural Heritage were integrated into the City Information System.

Cultural Heritage and Historical Preservation

  • Initiation of restoration, restitution, and structural reinforcement works for historical and cultural heritage.
  • Tender for the access road to Engüzekkapı Castle was held.

Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development

  • Establishment of a Local Product Market.
  • A Geographical Indication application was made for Haris Plum Dolma.
  • Hygiene training for businesses.
  • Cittaslow behavior training for all municipal staff.

International Collaborations and Projects

  • The EU Climate Crisis Mitigation Project was submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change.
  • Preparation for a 1-week Survivor program in collaboration with Atatürk University and 18 domestic and international universities.

Infrastructure and Accessibility Projects

  • Cittaslow-themed signage for businesses was created and published.
  • All waste containers were integrated into the Ministry of Environment’s system.

Rural Sustainability and Nature Trails

  • Identification of birdwatching trails and mountain bike routes.