Wei said traditional manual patrols are not very efficient and cover a relatively small area, while the new approach offers more scientific and refined management.

He said the Nanjing Building has more than 80 sets of internet of things sensing facilities equipped to collect data in various areas to ensure safe operations.

For example, when the flow of pedestrians on Nanjing Road reaches a medium-risk level, the district urban operation management center issues a "large passenger flow warning" to retail outlets and the building's smart system sends a dispersal notice to the security manager.

A plan to control passenger flow is then activated. This includes setting up notice boards at store entrances and exits, limiting the number of people in a store, and only allowing them to enter or exit through specific doors, in order to ensure safety.

Xu said the introduction of such a novel system would trigger far-reaching innovation in urban intelligent management and services in the city, which is also home to a subway network totaling 729 kilometers and boasts 240,000 elevators and escalators.