Lagos a "Slow City"

LAGOS,Algarve is among the first cities in Portugal to join this new movement.

The "Slow Movement" is a global and contemporary chain that calls us to live in proper rhythm for thewell-being and personal, social, community and environmental development.

Applied to cities, the movement is reflected in the motto of La Dolce Vita, looking for Slow Cities, that constitute a refuge for the frenzy of modern life. Any city wishing to join the slow movement must follow a set of principles set out in the Manifesto of the Slow Cities. A slow city should have no more than50,000 inhabitants, and therefore be a small city, and should promote policies to decrease the noise in the city, traffic control,increased pedestrian areas and defense of their local products. Not denying the influence of modernity, the goal of slow cities is toally the best of both worlds.

Bra and Greve in Chianti, Italy,were the first two Slow Cities. In Portugal, the cities of Lagos, SãoBrás de Alportel, Silves, Tavira and Vizela have joined thismovement.

The category 'Slow City' is a seal of quality and abrand that works both as a distinction, as well as a commitment and apoint of reference for residents, tourists and investors who expectthe city credibility in regard to sustainability for people and nature. "These cities want communitieswith its own identity, an identity that is recognized by those whoarrive there and is deeply felt by everyone who is part of it. Here the sense of connection between products and consumers, between people and protected environment and between residents and visitors(who should feel as residents during your stay) is maintained.”

The Slow Movement is an international movement, which had its genesis inthe Slow Food Movement in 1986 in Italy, and which contradicted the values ​​and the culture associated with the massive and impersonal fast food industry and then also specified in the conceptand qual ity seal 'slow cities', small cities with quality of life.This trend has gradually spread into Europe and the world, widening to other areas: health, children and education, tourism, preservation of heritage and traditions, relationships, reconciliation of personaland professional life, leisure, family life, etc. (Slow Travel,Schools, Cities, Family Living, Medicine, Slow Design, etc.).
It's not the objective of "Slow Movement" to go against what hasbeen achieved to date and there is a recognition of the importantvirtues of the Western world the achievements and victories inbattles for human rights.

Slow Movement is a current and humanistconcept awaiting new forms of practical application and is a growingtrend around the world, being very relevant in the current social and economic environment. The slow movement supporters do not fit in a single profile, but identify with its principles and with the generalidea that it is necessary to slow down and give more value to the essential, quality and what is really important and only in a societythat is not too fast and excessive, it is possible to get the depth,quality and importance, whether in the world of work, in personal relationships, consumer habits or lifestyle in territories and communities.

The NGO Slow Portugal, is born in order to fill a place not busy on thenational scene, following a trend that intensifies and spreads internationally both formally and informally and spontaneously.Intends to disclose, be a point of meeting and sharing and strengthen various initiatives identified with the slow attitude, existing or tobe created in order to give them visibility coherence and impact.

Thevalues ​​that defends are, as follows:

• For the promotionof a durable and sustainable development rather than rapid wear ofgrowth.
• For the respect for different diversities,biodiversity and environmental diversity, local, cultural andindividual.
• Due to the proximity and the humanization, thecare and personalized attention and flexible as opposed to seriesproduction, the impersonality and dehumanization.
• For the quality instead of quantity; instead of more, better.
• For the respect for the natural, social and personal rhythms
• For the reconciliation and integration of different areas of life (education,health, relationships, family, work, leisure) in a multidimensionaland holistic perspective.
• A balance and moderation between the extremes and excesses in order to minimize the asymmetries and fundamentalisms.
• For the well-being and the realization ofindividual potential, the territory and the community. The appreciation of voluntary simplicity and responsible use of material resources.