PAPHOS PROMOTING 'SMART CITY' PACKAGE

Cyprus Mail - article by Bejay Browne 31 October 2018

French ambassador Rene Troccaz (left) with Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos on Wednesday

The French ambassador to Cyprus met with the mayor of Paphos on Wednesday and discussed the town’s efforts to transform itself into a ‘smart’ city.

The ambassador, Rene Troccaz, met with Phedonas Phedonos at Paphos town hall.

“This is the second time they have met each other and the ambassador was particularly interested in our efforts to establish Paphos as smart city,” a municipality spokesman told the Cyprus Mail.

The ‘smart’ city package covers advanced digital services such as the creation of a digital platform, applications to support visitors and visibility of culture, tourism and entrepreneurship, the development of e-government applications and the supply and installation of Wi-Fi hotspots and touch screens, he said.

Troccaz asked Phedonos for details about the municipality’s plans in this field and other issues concerning the further development of relations was discussed .

The ambassador was informed that two Paphos projects were given the green light last year which officials welcomed as a move towards establishing Paphos as a smart city.

They were submitted under the INTERREG V-A Cross-Border Cooperation Programme: Greece-Cyprus 2014-2020.

The first project sees the town in the role of lead partner, with the co-operation of twinned municipalities of Chania and Lesbos. The co-financing programme provides for city-based applications and infrastructures.

“The study for this is already underway and it includes a business plan for the smart city actions, a strategic plan including: city marketing, city branding and others,” the spokesman said.

He noted that the ‘kick- off’ meeting for the second project, ‘ECORouTS’, will take place next month.

“We were informed today (Wednesday) that the meeting will take place in Heraklion on November 12, and the project will get underway soon after.”

ECOURouTs aims to reduce carbon emissions from urban transport and the municipality of Paphos will supply at least one electric bus for passengers, the installation of a charging station, development of a telematics system and green path development, he said.

For this project, Paphos is a partner (not a lead partner) and the municipalities of Heraklion, Chania and Aradippou are also involved.