EXPERTS say more efforts should be made to create a new "urban village" in Hull's Old Town.
The historic area could also be renamed as King's Town to help raise its profile both nationally and internationally.
The ideas follow a two-day visit to Hull by English Heritage's urban panel earlier this summer.
Panel members spent both days walking around the city centre and the Old Town in particular.
Now published in an official report, their main recommendations include:
Doing more to encourage people to live in the Old Town in converted buildings.
Supporting community or pop-up use of empty shops and spaces.
Rebranding the area as King's Town to promote the Old Town.
Consider new policies limiting the height of new developments.
Rethink current landscaping plans for Trinity Square to include more green space.
Deborah Wall, English Heritage's historic places principal for Yorkshire, said: "One of the main things that came through from the visit was a real delight and surprise among the panel about what they saw in Hull and the Old Town.
"Some of them had been to Hull before but had never seen the Old Town while, for the others, it was a totally new experience.
"What really impressed them the most was the stunning architecture and the fantastic potential of the Old Town."
She said while there had been a steady increase in residential conversions in recent years, the potential for more people living in the Old Town was clear.
"It was felt the Old Town really does need some specific focus. It needs to have a purpose and an urban village would do that," she said.
Ms Wall said the King's Town idea had been suggested by one of the panel's members during the tour before being included in its main recommendations.
The king in question refers to Edward II, who granted Hull its first Royal charter in 1299.
The report says: "Starting with a clear understanding of the special qualities of the Old Town, possibly translated into a rebranding of the area as the King's Town, active marketing based on special quality and limited availability could drive up demand.
"Starting small but within a masterplan and in concert with other Old Town landowners, the first steps can be taken, building interest in a location that is unique within the city and the wider region."
Alex Codd, Hull City Council's planning manager, helped host the visit by the panel.
He said its findings and recommendations were already being used in debates on future policies covering the Old Town.
"As well as heritage experts, the panel also included urban designers, landscape architects and people with a background in economic development," he said.
"I would say they were all very pleasantly surprised by what they found. With the UK City of Culture 2017 on the horizon, they all recognised the Old Town's tremendous potential."
