CityLab Berlin develops and experiments with digital public services for different user groups e.g. citizens, administrators and public managers: What do you see as main obstacles to adopting an experimental mindset in regard to developing digital services for the public sector and the wider public? 

The public sector is grounded in a lot of rules and regulations, which often clash with the fast-paced nature of digital transformation. Experimentation leads us into uncharted waters. A lot of our actions aren't explicitly illegal or legal—they're simply new ground. As paradoxical as it sounds: there is a lack of precedent cases and clear rules for dealing with new innovations. In public administration, a regulatory vacuum can have a paralyzing effect, as there are few incentives to deviate from tried-and-true methods. This results in excessive caution, with endless rounds of double-checking and reassessment, when we should actually be prioritizing speed. What we really need is a shift towards a less bureaucratic approach to administration, where ongoing development is standard practice, rather than clinging to the status quo. 

How do infrastructures matter for citizens?  

As the saying goes, nobody pays attention to infrastructure as long as it's functioning. However, our reliance on it becomes very apparent when it begins to fail. Indeed, the interplay of different forms of infrastructure forms the backbone of modern society, making it incredibly important for citizens, whether they are aware of it or not. In Germany, we are currently witnessing the consequences of a longstanding neglect in infrastructure investment. Delayed trains, sluggish internet speeds, an at times barely functional public administration. All these are facets of infrastructure, and because they've somehow managed to function adequately so far, there's been a forgetfulness in modernizing them. 

How should knowledge about infrastructures be communicated and what role can journalists, researchers or public officials play?   

We need to communicate that functional infrastructures are not a given; they require ongoing maintenance and modernization. This costs money. It is money well spent, however, as it lays the foundation for stability and prosperity. Most infrastructures are highly complex, and their operational mechanisms are not easily conveyed. Data visualizations and interactive simulations can assist in making these complex interconnections understandable to a broader audience. Politically, there is a need for strategic thinking that extends beyond a single electoral term. It would probably be beneficial if our politicians had more incentives to invest in infrastructure, even though the effects might only be felt years later.