Trikala gets techy

A place for history buffs and culture vultures, Trikala is set on the ancient ruins of 5,500-year-old Trikki, and alive with Greek folklore, traditional music and a diverse mix of cultures. The birthplace of Asklipios, the ancient Greek god of medicine, is now carving out an equally fascinating future. The first smart city in Greece, Trikala is using tech to become more sustainable, efficient and accessible.

A savvy initiative is now in place to assist with disabled parking in the city. An electric transponder recognises disabled citizens’ cars and directs them to available parking spaces, whilst also identifying those who are parking illegally. All drivers will also have access to a controlled parking system where they can find free parking spaces in real-time and pay on their mobile phones, making it even quicker and easier to explore the mystical place.

Another smart system is sensor-activated streetlights, which has cut electricity usage by 60%. The lights use LED bulbs, whilst a wireless control system detects early malfunctions, ensuring no walkers or cyclists are left in the dark.

An innovative breath of fresh air, the city has also installed tech which measures air pollution levels, to monitor impact on the public’s health and identify trends to help make the air as clean as possible.