The Lower Building Supervision Authority (UBA) of St. Ingbert used the Corona period for a comprehensive modernization: Two new employees have started, the authority has been technologically re-equipped, and the hardware and software have been updated. A modern center has emerged where builders can submit their building applications, track progress, and, if necessary, process their projects more quickly. Another gain: more transparency and more efficient processes in an authority that serves as the interface between builders and architects on one side, and laws, municipal regulations, and bureaucracy on the other. Leading the planning and implementation is the long-standing and experienced employee of the Building Supervision Authority, Manfred Hilgert.
To streamline operations at the St. Ingbert UBA, the building authority was merged with the "Planning Law Consultation" department and renamed "Building Service Center." In addition, an employee of the city archive takes on digitization tasks using the latest digitization technology.
Modern conference room with modern software
The pandemic has shown how important digitalization and connected work are. Since several people usually meet at the building authority to discuss plans and applications, and often very large plans have to be evaluated, a new conference room was set up. In addition to a large plan table, the room now has the necessary video conferencing technology and a whiteboard on which large plans can be clearly displayed and edited. “This allows us to work much more efficiently and productively and to communicate with other authorities, experts, builders, etc., if necessary, also online at any time,” says Stefan Ochs, responsible for fire protection at the town hall.
As one of the first municipalities in Saarland, St. Ingbert has committed to the immediate implementation of the "digital building application." This will become possible as soon as the technical requirements on the part of the state government are met. To enable this, the existing software "PROSOZ Bau" had to be updated to the latest version. This product from the market leader in specialized software guarantees a fast, smooth implementation of digitization in the building permit process. The software offers the possibility to handle all upcoming administrative tasks digitally in the future, perform plausibility checks, and ensure proper monitoring of deadlines and obligations.
„The modernization of our department was a major effort. I am happy and grateful that our mayor supported this project,“ said Manfred Hilgert. „But it was worth it: The digital building supervision ensures that we can handle procedures much faster and more transparently for the citizens. And that is the future.“
Building applications have recently also been submitted digitally
But the system is not only a great advantage for the administration. Citizens also benefit from increased transparency: building applications submitted are entered into the system using the software, and applicants receive password-protected access, allowing them to view the entire processing history of their application in real time – application information, the status of the procedure, approvals, missing documents, certificates, and much more. The proverbial "visit to the authorities" is thus made significantly easier, while staff remain available at all times for personal consultations and advice. In addition, upon request, such access can also be provided for all applications currently under review or implementation. Mayor Dr. Ulli Meyer is aware of the authority’s responsibility: “We must and want to keep up with the times. Our building supervision authority can work networked and ergonomically with the new system and the modern conference room. This allows synergies to be utilized and public as well as private construction projects to be implemented more quickly.”
