In this article, we analyze different approaches to the term global city and reveal the process of formationof this phenomenon in social sciences. We consider the specifics of such concepts as a global city, aworld city, town information, a creative city. The global city is seen as a factor of influence on the socioeconomicprocesses of the modern world, which determines the impact depending not only on the size ofthe city. The modern urban development goal - to become visible on the world map of politics, economy,allowing the city to develop, involving active and creative actors in their own space. This article discussesthe methods and mechanisms that contribute to changes in the urban space by different examples. Theinstability, volatility...