Cologne’s Digitization Program: Successes and Plans for the Future

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The digitization program was launched in November 2018 with the aim of making administrative processes consistently digital through numerous measures. The program was divided into four sub-programs: “Social affairs and family”, “Citizen services of the future”, “Reducing bureaucracy for companies” and “Strengthening the employer brand”.

“We come from a time when numerous processes were thought of purely analogously. Digitizing them afterwards is not always easy and still presents us with challenges,” says Andrée Haack, Deputy for Urban Development, Economy, Digitization and Regional Affairs. “That’s why we are committed to a so-called digital check for all new laws. This means that we check right from the start whether digitization has been taken into account in order to be able to provide all services for the people of Cologne as quickly and efficiently as possible in the future.”

Already 105 projects successfully implemented

According to the city, the digitization program has already had some successes. To date, 105 projects have been successfully implemented. A further 50 projects will be completed this year. A further 14 projects are already being implemented and will be completed in 2024 and the following years.

The services that can already be used include, for example, the digital volunteer card, with which Cologne citizens who do voluntary work can take advantage of discounts for cultural, sports and leisure activities. Interested parties can obtain the digital volunteer card via the “volunteer card” app. Furthermore, the Cologne City Library has expanded its range of digital content. The offers can now be used around the clock. The offer includes, among other things, electronic media for download, online tutorials, digital press and research portals as well as learning programs. There is now also a film and music streaming service.

In the “in.koeln – social infrastructure” project, a lot of information on the topics of social affairs, senior citizens and health care is brought together. Around 3,000 offers can currently be found at “in.koeln”. There is also information about advice centres, leisure activities, care facilities, etc.

Many services can be applied for online

In addition to a lot of other information that is available online, such as information on building encumbrances and property information as well as a digital list of monuments, many services can now be requested online, such as:

• the residence permit
• the card for electronic proof of identity (eID card)
• the exchange of old paper driver’s licenses for driver’s licenses in credit card format
• the resident parking permit
• field maps
• Copies of birth certificate

Some services no longer require you to go to the office, such as the resident parking permit, which can be printed out, or the floor card, which can be downloaded in PDF format after electronic payment. For other measures, such as hygiene instructions (formerly health certificates), it is no longer necessary to appear at the health department. If desired, the instruction can now take place via video conference from the sofa at home. The city of Cologne’s application process is now also online.

It is well known that there are fees associated with applying for many services. A lot has happened here too. Fees or warnings can now also be paid via online payment providers such as PayPal or via QR code via your own bank app. Payments can also be made at the checkout in retail.

The Public WLAN hotspot.koeln was also expanded for broad use. In addition, the VPN infrastructure was modernized with regard to the connection of schools, daycare centers, branch offices and other public facilities.

(Monika Eiden)