Keytop Smart Parking at Fez Medina: ANPR & Ultrasonic PGS
- David Wu
- Apr 16
- 2 min read
The ancient Medina of Fez, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a labyrinth of history, culture, and bustling commerce. However, preserving its 12th-century charm while accommodating 21st-century traffic has long been a challenge. Today, that challenge is being met with a state-of-the-art infrastructure upgrade: the newly completed underground parking facility at Place Er-R'cif.
Backed by an investment of approximately 30 million dirhams, this project merges complex civil engineering with Keytop’s AI-powered smart parking solutions, delivering a seamless journey for residents, merchants, and tourists.
The Scope: Expanding the Medina's Capacity
Located at the primary gateway to the old city, the Place Er-R'cif parking facility features two underground levels with a targeted capacity of 93 vehicles.
While the footprint is highly optimized, its impact is massive. It serves as a critical node in the city's broader traffic management strategy, working in tandem with existing parking
networks at Bab Jdid and Bin Al-Moudoun to drastically reduce surface-level congestion.
Engineering Around History
Building an underground structure in a centuries-old city requires absolute precision. The architectural and civil engineering teams faced significant topographical constraints, most notably the site's immediate proximity to the Oued El Jawahir river. Through meticulous planning and advanced structural execution, the engineering teams successfully bypassed these hurdles without disrupting the historic foundations of the surrounding area.
A Frictionless Experience Powered by Keytop
High-turnover locations demand high-efficiency technology. To ensure drivers spend less time navigating and more time exploring the Medina, the facility is driven by Keytop’s intelligent parking ecosystem:
AI-Powered ANPR Management: The facility features a completely ticketless entry and exit system. Keytop's Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras instantly identify vehicles, allowing for stop-free, frictionless access. This eliminates queues at the entrance and ensures smooth traffic flow directly off the main roads.
Ultrasonic Parking Guidance System (PGS): Once inside, the guesswork is eliminated. High-precision ultrasonic sensors monitor each of the 93 bays in real-time. Dynamic LED signage directs drivers to the nearest available space, creating a data-driven, stress-free parking experience while significantly reducing vehicle emissions inside the enclosed structure.
Comprehensive Security: Integrated with the smart access systems is a 24/7 CCTV surveillance network monitoring all entry points, driving lanes, and pedestrian zones, ensuring maximum security for both vehicles and visitors.
Reclaiming the Surface for the Community
The impact of the Place Er-R'cif project extends far beyond parking. By moving vehicles underground, the city is reclaiming the surface.
The plaza above the parking structure is undergoing a complete revitalization. It is being transformed into a vibrant public square featuring modern urban furniture, dedicated play areas for children, and open spaces for families to relax. For the local artisans, craftsmen, and traders of the Medina, this redevelopment promises a massive boost in accessibility, drawing more visitors directly to their storefronts.
The Future of Smart Cities
Currently over 90% complete and set to open in the coming weeks, the Place Er-R'cif project is a blueprint for urban modernization. By integrating Keytop's frictionless, AI-driven technology into a historically sensitive site, Fez is proving that heritage preservation and advanced smart city mobility can go hand in hand.
Watch the full project update here: أشغال مرآب تحت أرضي جديد بفاس تبلغ مراحلها النهائية
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