No state institution is as close to the people and their everyday life as the municipalities are. This is precisely why cities and municipalities should become guarantors of more common good in the fields of digitization and artificial intelligence. In order to achieve this, the local administrations must consistently apply modern technology themselves and at the same time receive a suitable framework from the federal and state governments.
No question: We want to offer the digital town hall and all our services as barrier-free, easily accessible and customer-friendly as possible. The Online Access Act provides the legal basis for this. Re-registration, registering dogs, housing benefit – all of this should also be possible online in the future, without an appointment, without mountains of paper, without having to physically go to the Citizens’ Registration Office.
However, the federal and state governments still have to create the conditions for this, such as a nationwide standard customer account that is easily accessible to everyone. Like almost all municipalities during the pandemic, the city administration of Hanover has consistently expanded the digital infrastructure. In general, municipal administrations have to adapt their working methods to the digital age, they have to become more flexible, modern and attractive – not least in order to attract young talent.
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Of course, digitization is not an end in itself, but a means to an end. Digital solutions, in which the responsible handling of data must always be taken into account, help to tackle major social challenges directly on site. For example, with a view to modern transport policy, to defusing the climate crisis, but also with regard to fairly distributed opportunities for social participation.
Light, water, distribution of space: this is how we increase the attractiveness of the city
In concrete terms, this means that we must adapt our streets and squares to suit the climate and make inner cities more attractive, for example through better lighting management.
Resources such as rainwater must be used – digitally controlled, for example to water plants or to fill up wells.
The task of distributing space fairly is becoming increasingly complex. In cities, space is a scarce and increasingly valuable commodity. Digital solutions help to manage space dynamically – depending on the time of day and needs. This is important for events, delivery traffic or outdoor catering.
This is based on sensors, a secure data cloud and an open, intelligent management system. The controversial debate about parking e-scooters already shows how important it is to manage existing spaces fairly and efficiently.
In view of these major tasks, municipalities have to intervene deeply in public space and thus also in people’s everyday lives. This will not succeed without the acceptance of the citizens. We only achieve acceptance through precise and tailor-made measures.
We wouldn’t get any further without digitization. With “RESTART: #HANnovativ”, Hanover is one of the smart city model projects in Germany. The federal government’s support opens up new financial opportunities for us and gives us planning security for many projects – even if the funding involves bureaucratic effort.
Versatile data platforms: Municipalities as engine room for digital change
In addition, municipalities and their administrations must be fair brokers between different interest groups in innovation projects. Only good cooperation between science, business, civil society and administration leads to success in large regional projects.
This is shown by the 5 GAPS digitization project, which we have launched together with Deutsche Messe AG and other partners from science and business: With the new 5G mobile communications standard, Hanover is to receive a digital twin that maps the state capital three-dimensionally and in real time. The data platform will be versatile in future: for example, for the high-precision operation of autonomous vehicles or for tracking goods.
The digital twin can also make it easier to reserve parking spaces, improve production processes or enable tourist adventure tours. The exhibition center initially serves as a test field.
Services, problem solving, moderation: Municipalities are the engine room for digital change. However, local commitment and commitment alone cannot turn cities and municipalities into decentralized incubators of digital progress. A few lighthouses are not enough. Instead, municipalities need a better framework that the federal states and the federal government must set.
In concrete terms, this means that the municipalities need planning security as quickly as possible for digital citizen services. Nationwide uniform standards will be decisive for success. It is important that they come in a timely manner. Because we are already running out of time when it comes to implementing the Online Access Act.
Improved basic financial resources: increase the attractiveness of the projects
In addition, too tight a financial framework inhibits creativity at the municipal level. Precisely because the financial planning security with regard to trade tax is much more dependent on the economic trend than at all other state levels, the federal and state governments should bring themselves to improve the basic financial resources of the municipalities.
In addition, the federal government should reconsider its principle of only granting financial resources for digitization projects for a specific purpose due to the need for control. This often means that projects are developed to suit the application structure, but local needs take a back seat. Furthermore, temporary project positions are usually not very attractive for highly qualified employees, which makes it difficult to build up long-term skills in administration.
Municipalities need more trust and less bureaucracy on the part of the federal states and the federal government. Fortunately, the new federal government has signaled that it wants to give cities and communities more personal responsibility and creative freedom.
Now it is important to back up this signal with material, for example by giving the municipalities more “venture capital” for the development and implementation of innovative ideas. Knowing full well that not every project that initially seems promising will actually prove to be sustainable in the long term when implemented. However, trust and a willingness to take risks are essential prerequisites for more common good.
The author: Belit Onay is the Lord Mayor of Hanover.
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