However, it is well known that many problems are connected with the rapid growth of cities – especially with regard to the basic needs and rights of the poor. Even so, the participants of the International Colloquium of Mayors, held at UN Headquarters, July 1997, as part of UNDPs International Conference on Governance, agreed that it is at local level that the theories of governance are put into practice most directly.

It was generally agreed at this colloquium that 'increased resources to take on increased responsibility mandated by decentralisation rarely materialise.'

The Mayor of Seattle called on urban leaders to be 'urban entrepreneurs' in finding solutions, as well as to change national political dialogues from 'top-down to bottom-up' and the former Mayor of Curitiba also urged a grassroot approach by stating that: 'sometimes when we look at global problems, we think we must be in a terminal ward. But start by asking the people in your city to do one or two simple things to improve their lives, and you will be making solid progress in solving the world's problem.'

It was agreed that much remains to be done in preparation for the 'urban century', such as:
* a more efficient management of the city environment;
* city services – water, energy, transport, waste disposal, educational and health facilities – must be more widely available to the urban poor,
* improved land-use planning, and
* the poor and all citizens need to be more involved in decision-making.

The New Zealand Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr J Morgan Williams, has issued his report August this year on the management of the urban environment, entitled: The Cities and their People: New Zealand urban environment.

The report states that urban areas have important economic and social functions as efficient and productive cities and towns are essential for maintaining national and local growth and welfare. But urban areas provide also significant challenges for sustainable development because of the highly modified nature of the urban ecosystem. Sustainable development and eco-efficiency could however be advanced through:

* central government preparing a strong national sustainable development strategy that specifically recognises the requirements for creating more sustainable urban environments (eg addressing resource use, eco-efficiency and integrated management);

* the establishment of a non-governmental business oriented 'Foundation for Sustainable Development' as a high level, independent think-tank to advise government, businesses and communities;

* local government working with their communities of interest in resourced, well-managed partnerships to address urban sustainability issues;

* requiring a government agency to provide national support (including funding); and

* coordination of research and information on urban sustainability.