After 10 years, mainz.de has undergone a "restart": the technology and functionalities have been completely redesigned, bringing the city's website up to date and laying the foundations for further developments. 

"This new website marks the dawn of a new era for the city administration's online presence, and we have also 'broken with old traditions' in terms of visual design," said Mayor Nino Haase. 'Mainz – the city for you' – that's the slogan on our new website. Because we put people's concerns first: with service and short click paths. And at the same time, we present ourselves as the city with #mainzgefühl, which suits the people of Mainz."

The website has also been redesigned in terms of content: away from a city portal that claimed to represent the entire city, toward a service portal that focuses on the services, information, and offerings of the city administration.

The basis for the new concept was a collaboration with Mainz University of Applied Sciences under the direction of Vice President of Research & Transfer, Professor Dr. Anett Mehler-Bicher, who, after evaluating the click paths over a longer period of time, recommended focusing on the city's own portfolio. 

How can we help?

On the home page, a navigator asks, "How can we help?" Below that are the options: "I want to ...," "I am ...," "I live ...," and quick access to frequently searched topics and services.

Under "Issues from A to Z," users can then access the search function specifically for these topics. Of course, the numerous online services are also listed here and clearly marked as such. Those who prefer to search by life situation or browse will also find what they are looking for here.

Users can find the latest information, offers from the city administration, events, and much more directly on the homepage. Emergency notifications are now sent directly as web push notifications.

In addition, the first videos in sign language are now available. In cooperation with ZsL Mainz – the Center for Independent Living of Disabled People Mainz e. V. – pages have been created in easy-to-read language. This service will be expanded further. 

Relocation work completed, setup continues

The new website comprises the main mainz.de site and more than 20 microsites – from libraries, the fire department, the municipal data center (KDZ), and the municipal utility company to topics such as climate protection. The two municipal museums – the Gutenberg Museum and the Natural History Museum – also appear in the new design. 

From now on, press releases will be created directly in the city's content management system, allowing them to be presented even more effectively. A dynamic events calendar integrates important dates.

The relaunch of the website was carried out by the online editorial team in the public relations department of the state capital Mainz in collaboration with the Mainz Municipal Data Center (KDZ), Sitepark GmbH (technology), and the Mainz agency "media machine" (design). The central online editorial team also coordinates and trains around 160 decentralized editors in the various departments. The website is continuously being optimized. Mayor Haase: "It's like a new house: the basic work is done, everything has been moved, you've arrived. Now comes the most enjoyable task: furnishing the new house nicely and making it welcoming for residents and guests."

What could be better for further development than feedback directly from the citizens? The online editorial team therefore welcomes ideas and suggestions for improvement by email to mainz.onlinestadt.mainzde

Expansion of digitalization

The new website is now completely multilingual thanks to the integration of DeepL. Additional language versions will follow gradually after the launch of the new site.

DeepL uses translation technology that utilizes artificial intelligence. The expansion of AI use on the website is also planned. At the same time, the new position of municipal AI officer was filled on March 1, 2026. 

"With the launch of the new website, another important milestone in the expansion of digitalization has been reached – but of course, this is a process that does not end here," summarizes the mayor. "We are looking into the use of a chatbot and are offering more and more services online."