Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala, was recognized as a member of the Global Network of Learning Cities by UNESCO in 2022. Historically, Thrissur's journey towards modernity began under the leadership of Raja Rama Varma (popularly known as Sakthan Thampuran) who ruled from 1790-1805 and played a pivotal role in shaping the city's development. He cleared the surrounding forests and encouraged merchants to settle in the growing town. The city was briefly the capital of the Kochi kingdom and derives its name from “Thrissivaperur”, a term connected to the famous Vadakkunatha Shiva Temple. 
In education, Thrissur's legacy is marked by the earliest Sabha matoms providing Sanskrit schooling, the first vernacular school established by 1818, and the founding of the first English school in 1837. The establishment of St. Thomas College in 1919 further underscored the city's dedication to educational excellence. With the reorganization of states in 1956, Thrissur became the district headquarters and has since attracted significant public institutions such as the Civil Station, Engineering College, and Veterinary College. While urban growth has been more pronounced in the outlying areas, a development plan has been initiated to foster sustained growth within the town. The average number of years in schooling stands at 11.3 at present. Programs aimed at supporting vulnerable populations include initiatives for continued education such as supplying essential resources like laptops and designated study areas to disadvantaged groups.
Thrissur's administrative progress was marked by the establishment of a Subordinate Court in 1812, later becoming the Zilla Court, and the inception of the Trichur jail around the same time. By the early 19th century, Thrissur was connected to hinterland settlements via roads and railways, including the Trichur-Coimbatore Road inaugurated in 1844 and a narrow-gauge railway line established in 1902, later converted to broad gauge in 1944. In the realm of public services and infrastructure, Thrissur saw the founding of the civil hospital in 1875, an asylum in 1892, and a maternity hospital in 1915. The Trichur public library, established in the late 19th century, and the Museum, Zoo, and Botanical Gardens, originally started in 1885, reflect the city's commitment to knowledge and cultural enrichment. The Trichur Municipality was officially constituted in 1921, building on earlier sanitary and town council frameworks. Today, the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA), an autonomous body, supports Thrissur in fulfilling the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, the Kerala University of Health Sciences provides multiple opportunities to acquire the latest knowledge in health sciences, adding to municipal health strategy.
Thrissur benefits from the regional office of the MSME-Development Institute of India, which provides institutional support for fostering decent work and entrepreneurship through skill development. Today, the city hosts 296 registered factories as of 1961, including an Industrial Estate in Ollur and notable cottage industries like handloom weaving, Khadi, and coir production. The city has a strong network of entrepreneurs in the areas of banking and jewelry.