The evidence is mounting – cities are becoming more important than countries in generating economic and social development. In fact, it seems that national leaders in the United States and Canada — and many other countries — end up following citizens and cities rather than leading. It wasn’t always this way, but is now.

Today’s evidence on this issue comes from the environmental realm. The Washington Post ran a great article on how US cities are acting alone in tackling tough ecological issues. Whether mandating more fuel efficient taxi cabs, banning idling in vehicles, or providing incentives to install solar panels, it is cities and creative politicians, bureaucrats and citizens who are finding a way to bring about change.

In the meantime the Bush administration is recommending further study, or no action at least until after his term of office.

The United States as a country is huge, with such strong political and economic inertia (and entrenched lobbying and bureaucracy) that serious policy change is tough.

Cities on the other hand are typically nimble. They are smaller, often centred around local issues and not tied as closely to national and global companies and lobby groups. City politicians often have more freedom to follow grassroots pressure — not always for the better perhaps — but at least their options are more open.

The challenge will come as cities want more control over international immigration, for example, whether to welcome the talented from around the world or respond to grassroots pressures to close the doors.

Some interesting battles are ahead, I think.