The intellectual force of the West is still dominant, but other cultures are getting stronger. I expect that we will develop a new way of thinking in architecture and urban planning, and that less will be based on our models.

The quote "The intellectual force of the West is still dominant, but other cultures are getting stronger. I expect that we will develop a new way of thinking in architecture and urban planning, and that less will be based on our models." by Rem Koolhaas addresses the shifting global dynamics in architecture and urban planning. Koolhaas, a Dutch architect and theorist known for his provocative ideas and international influence, acknowledges that while Western thought has historically dominated architectural discourse, the emergence of other cultural perspectives is beginning to reshape the field. He anticipates a decentralization of architectural authority, where non-Western models will increasingly inform global design practices.

By referencing the "intellectual force of the West," Koolhaas points to the long-standing dominance of Euro-American paradigms in architectural theory, education, and practice. These models have traditionally emphasized specific ideals—like modernism, rational planning, and formal aesthetics—that have influenced urban development worldwide. However, Koolhaas observes that other cultures, with their own unique histories, urban challenges, and design philosophies, are now asserting themselves and offering alternative approaches that may be more adaptive, contextual, and innovative in today's rapidly changing world.

Koolhaas’s prediction of a “new way of thinking” suggests a move toward pluralism and cultural diversity in architecture. This could involve learning from cities in Asia, Africa, or Latin America, where rapid urbanization, informal settlements, and vernacular traditions present different solutions to spatial and social issues. His own projects and writings, such as those in S,M,L,XL and Project on the City, have often explored how local conditions and global forces interact in shaping urban form, particularly outside the Western world.

Ultimately, this quote reflects Koolhaas’s belief in the evolution of architectural thought—one that must respond to the realities of a multipolar world. As globalization continues to blur boundaries, he envisions a future where architecture and planning are informed not by a single dominant culture, but by a dynamic exchange of ideas, rooted in diverse geographic, social, and cultural contexts. This shift, he suggests, will lead to more relevant and responsive built environments across the globe.