Uzundere research examines impact of Cittaslow status on local culture

A recent study published in the Turkish Social Research Journal explores the cultural landscape of Uzundere, a district in Erzurum, Turkey, which joined the international Cittaslow (Slow City) network in 2016.

Conducted by Fatma Yapar and Metin Özarslan, the research investigates how the Slow City movement influences the preservation of traditional structures amidst globalization. The findings indicate that while traditional cultural elements have not completely disappeared, certain social dynamics are changing.

Specifically, the study notes that while local residents attempt to maintain social relations, daily life practices, and belief-based customs, traditional elements such as communal labor (imece), neighborhood ties, and kinship bonds are showing signs of weakening.