This paper offers an initial and ongoing investigation into the research area of Virtual City Models (VCMs). It builds upon previous research carried out by the VirtualNewcastleGateshead (VNG) team by providing an overview of VCMs multifunctions and emerging issues but specifically investigating the obsolescence factors and obsolescence-prevention strategies. This paper is part of a PhD research and provides a preliminary exploration of the issues described above. The study will conclude by identifying the progress of VNG thus far and the strategies employed by the VNG team to tackle the obsolescence factors identified in this paper.