In this episode of Urban Forecast, co-hosts Oli Lowrie and Jon Ackroyd sit down with Professor Dame Henrietta L. Moore, Founder and Director of the Institute for Global Prosperity at UCL, and Arthur Kay, CEO & Founder of Skyroom. Together they discuss their book Roadkill, which explores the urgent need to rethink our car-dominated cities. From the myths and politics surrounding 15-minute cities to the promises and risks of autonomous vehicles, this conversation challenges us to ask: what kind of urban future do we really want?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Car ownership is deeply ingrained, but shifting towards people-centred cities is both possible and necessary.
• European cities like Paris and Barcelona show bold examples of reclaiming streets for pedestrians, though not without resistance.
• The rise of 15-minute cities has been misunderstood and politicised, sparking conspiracy theories during the pandemic.
• Autonomous vehicles may transform transport, but they risk worsening congestion and surveillance unless carefully regulated.
• Public perceptions often lag behind lived experiences: initial resistance to pedestrianisation often turns into long-term support.
• Car dependency drains household income and shapes city economies in damaging ways.
• Technology should be embraced thoughtfully, with policymakers setting boundaries that prioritise liveability.
• The future of urban transport is not inevitable - it will be determined by the decisions we make today.

BEST MOMENTS

• “Why would you want to drink a beer next to a car? You much prefer to have a beer next to a person.” – Henrietta L. Moore
• “Cars are still going to be there, but I think the drivers are not.” – Arthur Kay
• “It shows how toxic, dangerous and controversial what was a relatively niche urban design policy can become if it’s picked up in the wrong way.” – Arthur Kay
• “Instead of protesting once something’s already happened, you need to be part of the process of deciding what is going to happen for you and with you.” – Henrietta L. Moore

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://www.ackroydlowrie.com 

http://www.getroadkill.com/

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

The Big Opportunity London Can’t Waste with Jace Tyrrell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn00DOeooaE 

Housing and Regeneration in Tower Hamlets with David Joyce

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M03j0_NPBPw 

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Jon Ackroyd and Oliver Lowrie, the visionary hosts of Urban Forecast, bring their expertise from leading their innovative practice, Ackroyd Lowrie. Known for pushing the boundaries in urban design, Jon and Oliver use their podcast to delve into the future of cities, sharing insights from their work on projects that emphasise sustainability, community, and transformative architecture. Through Urban Forecast, they engage listeners with discussions on how architecture and design shape urban living, aiming to inspire new ways of thinking about the spaces around us.

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