Submitting applications online, using e-payment to pay a parking ticket, or monitoring the indoor climate in the city's offices with sensors: With the overall digitization strategy of the city of Rastatt, the administration is becoming steadily more digital - both for citizens and for employees. This is because the city wants to increase citizen service, relieve employees of routine tasks, and develop Rastatt into a competitive digital location. In April 2022, the municipal council gave the green light for the digitization strategy. Since then, the city has implemented the first measures. More are in the planning stage.
Citizen service is becoming increasingly digital
To enable citizens to handle as many concerns as possible online, the city is already implementing the so-called OZG services. These are services under the Online Access Act (OZG) that must be offered digitally.
These include:
- Request birth certificate
- Request certificate of registration
- Apply for resident parking permit
- Request housing provider certificate
- and many more
The procedures can be handled online via the Service-BW portal.
Existing digital services, i.e. online services, can be easily found on the website of the city of Rastatt.
In order to make full use of the services, the city is in the process of implementing an electronic payment system. The city administration's employees are also benefiting from the digitization strategy. New IT procedures make everyday work easier. These include making appointments online in the citizens' office and expanding e-payment. A social intranet has also been set up to promote collaboration among employees and simplify communication channels. In addition, the city's Digiteam is pushing ahead with the introduction of an overarching project management software.
Rastatt on the way to becoming a smart city
Rastatt is on its way to becoming a smart city and is relying on the LoRaWAN radio network. Sensors can already be used to digitally monitor water levels in flowers, for example, or to record and process humidity in museums. This network can be used by the city administration as well as by the municipal utilities and the municipal community.
Digitization strategy is a process
The first measures of the digitization strategy have been implemented. However, digitization is a process that is constantly evolving. For example, the city administration will continue to work on providing citizens with even more online services and enabling city employees to work in a modern environment.