On the basis of a value-driven, digital mission statement, a comprehensive package of measures is to decisively advance the digitalization of municipal services in the coming years. At the same time, the modern design of the working environment is to be tested in terms of New Work concepts.

"We see digitalization as an opportunity to further develop the city in a future-oriented way. For us, digitalization is not an end in itself and not just the introduction of new technologies," says Hinninger, explaining the core idea. "For us, people are at the heart of this process; as citizens who use our services and as employees who provide them."

Four fundamental principles of the mission statement will serve as a compass for future digital decisions: user-friendly and integrative, data-secure and sovereign, climate-conscious and sustainable, and needs-oriented and human. The digital transformation concept is aligned with these values. It contains measures as well as timetables and cost plans as a roadmap for the coming years.

The necessary additional financial resources of around 3.5 million euros have been registered for the 2025 budget. The money will be used to finance projects such as the realignment of the city's website www.wiesbaden.de, the connection to the nationwide public authority number 115, the introduction of a new eFile as well as measures to increase IT security and training programs.

"Many complex interrelationships need to be thought through for successful digitalization," explains Silke Lehnhardt, Head of the Office for Innovation, Organization and Digitalization. "Processes don't stop at office boundaries. They have to be recorded and optimized from start to finish before they can be digitized. This requires interdisciplinary collaboration, efficient IT systems and qualified employees who are equipped with the necessary powers."

Much of this reorganization will happen internally. Citizens will notice the effects, for example through the faster processing of procedures. The website www.wiesbaden.de, on the other hand, will be a project with great external visibility. It is currently being completely redesigned. Publication is planned for the first half of 2025. All information and services will then be available on one platform: modern, low-threshold, multilingual and technologically up to date.

Internally, the introduction of new office space concepts will give employees the opportunity to work flexibly on a mobile and hybrid basis. "In times of a shortage of skilled workers, public administration must make an effort to be perceived as an attractive employer in order to attract and retain competent people," says Hinninger. "With the new concepts, we can make our space more attractive, use it better and reduce rental costs and resource consumption at the same time." As a pilot project, the large administration building at Gustav Stresemann Ring 15 is to be converted into a model location for modern office space design and cross-office space optimization.

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