The remodeling of buildings in the historic centers of towns and cities is one of the main causes of local decline and extinction. Restored and newly constructed buildings do not have cavities that can be used by birds.

But building work can conserve the holes where swifts nest and ensure that no works are carried out during the nesting period. Nest boxes can be installed in buildings to replace destroyed nests and to encourage new pairs to breed. It is vital that municipalities, architects, surveyors, corporate and private owners participate in the preservation of common swift colonies.