An International City

PLYMOUTH AS AN INTERNATIONAL CITY

This is about how the city projects itself to the wider world, to people who might invest in or visit the city, the sense of pride that local people take in their city and how Plymouth's businesses engage with an increasingly global market place.

Plymouth has adopted the branding of Britain's Ocean City, reflecting the pride that the city takes in its unique maritime heritage and stunning setting, but also the city's ambition and its confidence in what is has to offer. However, to be known as an international city it is vital that Plymouth realises greater value from its unique assets.

Plymouth has a strong consensus around its aspirations to be recognised at an international level for being: a waterfront city; a university with world-wide reputation and world-class assets in relation to marine science and technologies; one of the finest regional theatres in the country; and a maritime heritage of world-wide significance, including Sir Francis Drake and the Spanish Armada, and the sailing of the Mayflower Pilgrims.

The 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower (Mayflower 400) in 2020 provides the potential for an internationally significant event. It will be a unique, once in a lifetime opportunity to present 'Britain's Ocean City' to the world and can act as a driver for business growth in marine and related industries, the visitor economy, the culture of the city and raising the city's profile and reputation in the global market place. It also provides an opportunity to 17 engage with the local community, to engender civic pride and to develop legacy projects and significant partner relationships with overseas communities with links to the Mayflower story. These and other unique assets need to be used to Plymouth’s advantage.

Although Plymouth is a relatively strong exporter of goods, export growth is an appropriate intent for an international city. The city It has considerable marine, medical/healthcare, advanced manufacturing and tourism strengths, with a number of international businesses, and there is clearly potential for businesses to do more to reap the economic rewards from international trade.

A glimpse at what an 'international city' might look like in 2034:

• Every resident can feel proud not just about Plymouth's unique past as a city of great importance internationally, but also of its status as a modern international city.
• Plymouth provides an internationally competitive cultural and visitor offer, optimising the value of and developing the product within its existing destinations such as Royal William Yard, The Hoe, The Barbican and Sutton Harbour, the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth Theatre Royal and Plymouth Life Centre, and linking them to new destination product offerings such as The Box, Plymouth Sound National Marine Park and the Dartmoor/South Hams hinterland, so that the city is recognised as a 'must do' visitor destination internationally.
• The Box is managed as a unique new asset, creating great pride in the city amongst local people, and raising Plymouth's profile to investors and visitors from other parts of the country and world.
• Plymouth has a major international programme with a range of live international projects working across Europe, US, China and beyond that contributes to trade and investment in the creative and cultural industries across the city.
• Plymouth’s unique historic waterfront has been transformed through improvements to public spaces and key heritage assets, such as The Hoe and The Barbican, as well as hosting major events for art, culture and sport. Plymouth Sound, its estuaries and watersides are managed comprehensively as an economic, social and environmental asset of international renown through designation as a National Marine Park.
• Water transport investment has improved access to and opportunities at key locations such as Mount Batten, Sutton Harbour, Millbay, Royal William Yard, Devonport and Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, as well as providing wider connections to waterfront communities such as Turnchapel, Torpoint and Saltash.
• The Mayflower 400 anniversary in 2020 has created a strong legacy both for the visitor economy and for local people, through improved public realm and waterfront access and lasting economic benefits, and has been a catalyst for cultural development across the city.
• Plymouth has built on its reputation for excellent hospitality and food and drink, with major new investment in quality hotels and visitor accommodation.
• Plymouth's position in the global market place has been greatly strengthened through business growth, inward investment and well developed access to new markets, supported by optimal post-BREXIT port and other trade arrangements.
• The design of new buildings and of public spaces in the city centre, along Plymouth’s waterfront and at gateways to the city reflect the quality to be expected of Britain's Ocean City.
• New/expanding marine business areas have been fully developed and is are driving wider investment in the city and regional economy, helping maintain Plymouth’s reputation as a world leader in the marine sciences and technology sector.
• Plymouth University's campus has expanded and supported the regeneration of the city centre, and the city's three universities and research institutions are collectively giving Plymouth a strong international profile.
• Radical improvements are made to key city gateways, with high quality and modern arrival points through the city centre's railway station and coach station and an accessible and modernised Millbay port, including the provision of a larger and more accessible cruise liner terminal.
• Plymouth is recognised internationally as a leading sustainable clean, green city through its environmental credentials and the role that residents, businesses and visitors have all played in the addressing of the Climate Emergency.