The True Cost of Our Toxic Relationship with Cars

The car has been marketed as a symbol of freedom, but in their talk Moore and Kay will argue that it has actually hemmed in our cities and incrementally restricted our choices. Discussing the philosophical implications of our love story with car culture and its practical impacts, they will advocate for a new way of thinking reimagining life beyond car-dominated cities, one that promises to multiply our choices, improve our urban environments and expand our freedoms.

Amplifying the potent messages conveyed in their thought provoking new book, ‘Roadkill’: Unveiling the True Cost of Our Toxic Relationship with Cars’ (Wiley, 2025), the authors will raise wider questions about urban policies concerning cars and explore how far we can reimagine their processes from the ground up, invest in doing things differently and change our behaviour.

In breaking up with cars a vision for a healthier, freer and fairer urban life becomes possible. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear the ‘Roadkill’ authors articulate their persuasive and illuminating call to action to all city dwellers, environmentalists and policymakers – and anyone interested in practical ways to improve their lives. Please join us and engage in this critical debate!

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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

Arthur Kay is an entrepreneur, urban designer and advisor, building solutions for sustainable cities. He is a Director at Innovo, and the founder of several urban design and technology companies, including the clean tech company BioBean; the design, technology and development company Skyroom, and the £100 million ESG private equity fund The Key Worker Homes Fund.

Arthur is an advisor to various organisations focused on building sustainable cities, including serving as a Board Member of Transport for London (TfL), the Museum of the Home, and Fast Forward 20230. He holds academic appointments, as Honorary Associate Professor and Entrepreneur in Residence at the UCL Institute for Global Prosperity, and has lectured at MIT, LSE, NYU and Imperial College.

RESOURCE LINKS

Web : unreasonablegroup.com/people/arthur-kay

Professor Dame Henrietta Moore is the Founder and Director of the UCL Institute for Global Prosperity and the Chair in Culture, Philosophy and Design at University College London.

A leading global thinker on prosperity, Professor Henrietta Moore challenges traditional economic models of growth arguing that to flourish communities, businesses and government need to engage with diversity and work within environmental limits. Her recent policy work focuses on new economic models, Universal Basic Services, environmental decarbonisation and degradation, displaced people, AI and the gender pay gap.

RESOURCE LINKS

Web : henriettalmoore.com/about

This event is a collaboration between Temple Bar Trust and The Gilded Acorn bookshop.

A selection of tickets are available for £15, which do not require the purchase of the book.

• A hardback copy of the authors’ book, ‘Roadkill: Unveiling the True Cost of Our Toxic Relationship with Cars’, is included in the talk ticket price, and will be provided to ticket holders on entry to Temple Bar.

The programme includes:

• A book signing session with Professor Henrietta Moore and Arthur Kay providing attendees with personalised copies.

• A networking drinks reception with the speakers and audience members following the talk.

Further information about ‘Roadkill: Unveiling the True Cost of Our Toxic Relationship with Cars’ – the book, book tour and events: getroadkill.com

The Gilded Acorn bookshop, 1 Portugal Street, WC2A 2ES (opposite the Marshall Building on the LSE campus):

https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/TheGildedAcorn

The talk is chaired by Lucy Bullivant Hon FRIBA, Trustee, Temple Bar Trust.

Please note: Temple Bar will be open for ticket holders from 18:05, please arrive in good time to be checked in and seated by 18:20. Our public talks start at promptly at 18:25.

Host or Publisher Temple Bar Trust