"Generic City" is another one of Koolhaas' concepts: "The Generic City is the city liberated from the captivity of the centre, from the strait jacket of identity. The Generic City breaks with the destructive cycle of dependency; it is nothing but a reflection of present need and present ability. It is the city without history. It is big enough for everybody. It is easy. It does not need maintenance. If it gets to small it just expands. If it gets to old it just self-destructs and renews. It is equally exciting - or unexciting - everywhere. It is "superficial"- like a Hollywood studio lot, it can produce a new identity every Monday morning." This merciless support of the present instead of the past puts action into focus. Each building or idea can be terminated. As soon as it is implemented, it is forgotten. Each structure that historically has created the city can be changed in order to give the city a new form and a new culture.
Oslo is like a "generic city" both liberated and always on the way to liberation and a new identity. At any given time Oslo has the unrealised potential of waiting for a "Monday morning". The future will not bring similarity to other serious and glorious European capitals. Oslo is like a virgin measured by European standard. If most of the European cities experience a renaissance and the glimpse of a former youth, Oslo is now preparing for its first moment of intimacy. Oslo cannot be compared to any other city. By not allowing to define itself can the city keep its peculiarity and its youthful enthusiasm.