‘We can step it up a notch’

Almost 700 measures have emerged from the ‘Smart Cities’ model project, which was funded by the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Construction (BMWSB). The project will expire in 2027 for constitutional reasons, and the task now is to make the experiences of the 73 funded municipalities available to the other 11,000 or so municipalities in Germany. Sabine Poschmann, State Secretary at the BMWSB, said in a keynote speech that she considers it a good sign ‘that around two-thirds of the measures will now be continued without our funding’. This expertise should be expanded so that other municipalities can avoid initial mistakes and make use of the model projects.

Halle an der Saale, for example, has developed a digital twin that combines geodata, real-time data and 3D simulations, and is now available as a powerful tool for urban planning, land management and economic development, said Poschmann. The simulations make development projects more transparent and understandable for citizens, and make it easier to activate unused land. Work is now underway to roll out the tool from Halle throughout Saxony-Anhalt.

However, Poschmann went on to say that citizens often feel left out when it comes to smart cities. The topic is often intangible for them. ‘This is where we can step up our game.’

Tanja Rückert: ‘Digital public services are a must’

And there is plenty else to do, as Tanja Rückert, CDO of Robert Bosch GmbH and Vice President of the digital association Bitkom, warned: ‘Digital public services are not a nice-to-have, but a must,’ she said in a stage discussion with Poschmann. From an economic perspective, it is essential that the step-by-step plan drawn up by the previous federal government takes effect. Otherwise, there will be many model projects and 73 subsidised municipalities – but 11,000 other municipalities that also want to participate. In order for the projects to gain traction, not only is a basic digital infrastructure needed, but also long-term financing and clear responsibilities. Rückert criticised that the German marketplace, where municipalities will be able to access information, best practice examples and tools in the future, is not understandable for everyone.

‘That is our biggest task,’ agreed Poschmann: to spread the projects and convey the knowledge gained from them. Her wish is ‘that many will participate and that we don't lose the small municipalities.’ The federal government has ‘provided a lot of funding, and we hope that it will be put to good use.’ She would like to see someone in the municipalities give the starting signal and get things going.