The challenge

The Isle of Anglesey faces unique challenges due to its remote location, including poor internet connectivity, high energy demand, and the impacts of climate change.

A strategic approach was needed to harness data and technology to address these issues while ensuring sustainable development for local communities.

Why it’s important

As a largely rural island, Anglesey required a tailored approach to adopting smart solutions that would enhance community resilience, improve digital infrastructure, and support economic growth. A well-designed Smart Island Strategy would provide a roadmap for leveraging technology and data to tackle local challenges effectively.

Our approach

Urban Foresight was commissioned to develop a bespoke Smart Island Strategy, focusing on six key themes:

• Community, Culture, and Heritage – Strengthening social cohesion and preserving local identity.
• Digital – Expanding access to fast and reliable internet services.
• Energy – Supporting renewable energy and hydrogen initiatives.
• Economy – Creating opportunities for sustainable economic development.
• Environment – Enhancing climate resilience and protecting natural assets.
• Transport – Improving mobility and connectivity for residents.

To ensure the strategy was grounded in real-world needs, we:

• Mapped existing initiatives and smart projects already underway.
• Engaged with stakeholders through interviews and workshops to capture local perspectives.
• Identified priority actions that aligned with community aspirations and available resources.

The impact

The final strategy provided a clear, actionable roadmap categorized into three priority levels:

• Must do – Essential actions to address immediate challenges.
• Should do – Important interventions with medium-term benefits.
• Could do – Aspirational projects that could be pursued with additional funding or resources.

By ensuring the strategy was co-created with local communities, it fostered a shared sense of purpose, equipping Anglesey with the tools to transition into a data-driven, smart island while remaining adaptable to future challenges.

How Urban Foresight can help you

This project highlights Urban Foresight’s expertise in smart places, data, and technology, as well as our commitment to delivering people-focused strategies that drive meaningful change. Contact us at hello@urbanforesight.com to talk to one of our team.