EcoPulse
Ioannina, the vibrant capital of Epirus, is rapidly emerging as a hub for tourism, business, and new residents. On one hand, Ioannina is thriving—but on the other, this rapid expansion is contributing to a rising greenhouse gas phenomenon across its urban, semi-urban, and peri-urban areas, ultimately impacting the quality of life for its inhabitants.
Adding to the challenge is the city’s iconic lake, a breathtaking landmark that plays a vital role in Ioannina’s identity. However, the lake faces significant environmental pressures. Due to eutrophication, it emits large amounts of methane—a powerful greenhouse gas that significantly amplifies the greenhouse effect. The pollution stems from multiple sources, including business operations, farming runoff, and the toll of lake-based tourism activities, exacerbating the issue.
The EcoPulse initiative will span 12 months and be executed across three dynamic strands, each designed to maximize impact and ensure meaningful results.
User Engagement and Co-Design
This phase prioritizes stakeholder involvement and collaboration through a user-centered design process. Stakeholders include business associations (e.g., Ioannina Silver Community Action Network, Ioannina Region Hotels Association), the Chamber of Commerce, agricultural unions, policy makers (Natural Environment & Climate Change Agency, Municipality of Ioannina), and individual citizens.
Key activities include:
- Collaborative Co-Design: Stakeholders participate in defining the system’s architecture, selecting sensor types, and ensuring the solution addresses their needs.
- Citizen Engagement: Information Days and an online Social Lab create spaces for public dialogue, fostering participation and transparency.
- Regulatory Compliance: Licensing activities ensure the sensor network complies with local, national, and European regulations, removing any legal barriers to deployment.
Socio-Technical Solution Implementation
This phase focuses on creating and refining a functional solution, with a working prototype featuring the sensor network and initial web/mobile application at half way and a final solution enhanced with gamification features and refined based on pilot feedback at the end of the experimental process, including a rigorous technical testing.
