INT1 - Implementing Britain's Ocean City

At the heart of this policy is creating a city that all of its residents and businesses can be proud of and that attracts more people to visit and invest. The city must promote itself with real pride, in a way that communicates complete confidence in Plymouth's unique assets.

This is something that should also be recognisable from the quality of its built environment and in particular through the use of high quality, distinctive and innovative architecture for prominent sites. It's Britain's Ocean City brand will help promote the city's competitive advantages and create worldwide recognition and interest. The city's waterfront is a huge asset; it is a place that captures Plymouth's history and showcases the city at its best.

Strengthening existing relationships with cities such as Brest in France and Plymouth, Massachusetts, and identifying opportunities to build new relationships for the benefits of trade, culture and tourism should be explored. The Mayflower 400 celebrations are an excellent opportunity to present Britain's Ocean City to the world, raising the profile and reputation of Plymouth across the globe through commercial and cultural activities.

The city already has a number of established international links through educational institutions in France, US, Ghana, China and the Gambia. Building international links is increasingly important in a globalised society and international educational links provide opportunities for young people to learn the values and cultures of different societies while developing their ICT, language, professional and enterprising skills.

The Council, businesses, creative sector, education and research institutions will work in partnership to advocate for Plymouth and its residents, to put Britain's Ocean City on the international map.

The policy also sets out Plymouth's objective to establish the UK's first National Marine Park, providing opportunities for greater community awareness of and responsibility for the marine and coastal environment, enhanced marine conservation, establishment of a world leading demonstration centre for marine technologies including marine autonomous systems, and wider social, environmental and economic benefits, including for sustainable tourism, commercial fishing, recreation, shipping and marine services. National Marine Parks do not exist in the UK and the concept will clearly evolve over time so that, while Plymouth’s coastal waters already play a very important role in the delivery of the Plymouth Plan's Healthy, Growing and International City objectives, it is envisaged that designation of the National Marine Park will enable a more exciting and engaging, sustainable, integrated and inclusive approach to coastal and marine management.