One Bangkok’s Security: A Deep Dive into Protecting a Mixed-Use Giant

Asia’s Urban Expansion Drives Demand for Mixed-Use Security

As Asian cities continue to grow, mixed-use developments are increasingly seen as the answer to overcrowding and urban sprawl. These large-scale projects combine homes, businesses, and hotels to create lively urban spaces that maximize land use and improve transportation.

According to Property Guru, this trend is picking up speed throughout the region. “From Singapore to Saigon and Metro Manila to Phnom Penh, Asia’s major cities are embracing mixed-use developments at an unprecedented rate. Not simply buoyed by buyer preferences, these all-encompassing large-scale projects are often antidotes for grappling with the shared problems of spiraling urban sprawl and traffic congestion.”

While these developments promise greater efficiency and convenience, they also bring about complex security challenges.

In this article, we delve into these challenges, using One Bangkok, one of Asia’s most prominent multi-use projects, as a case study. We’ll also hear from experts about the concerns and potential solutions.

One Bangkok: A Case Study in Urban Security

One Bangkok, Thailand’s largest fully integrated mixed-use development, perfectly illustrates the security challenges these projects face. As a billion-dollar undertaking, it demands an advanced security system that ensures safety, convenience, and data privacy across its diverse spaces.

The district is equipped with over 250,000 smart sensors and 5,000 CCTV cameras for real-time monitoring and data collection, enhancing both security and traffic flow. Smart poles throughout the development provide lighting and high-speed Wi-Fi, ensuring everyone stays connected.

Occupants enjoy optimized internet and mobile network coverage, underscoring One Bangkok’s commitment to seamless digital integration.

The project’s buildings are designed with the future in mind, incorporating cutting-edge technologies to improve the user experience while maintaining high standards for workplace health, well-being, and sustainability.

One Bangkok has earned WiredScore certification, a global standard for digitally connected buildings, and SmartScore certification, recognizing technologically advanced smart buildings.

In a statement, Lim Hua Tiong, CEO of One Bangkok, emphasized the importance of these certifications. “These certifications are not just accolades, they represent our dedication to creating buildings equipped for today’s technological demands and future-proof for tomorrow’s advancements.” Lim added that the project reaffirms its “promise to deliver an exceptional experience to our tenants with a sustainable, efficient, and connected future for all. This achievement reflects our position at the forefront of the smart building revolution in Thailand, setting a benchmark to which others can aspire.”

The Complexities of Security in Mixed-Use Developments

One Bangkok is a prime example of how mixed-use developments are reshaping urban infrastructure in Asia. As economic growth accelerates across the region, the importance of these projects is set to grow even further.

These developments combine office spaces, luxury residences, retail stores, and hospitality venues into one environment, creating operational efficiencies while also posing unique security challenges. Managing access control, surveillance, and privacy within these multi-functional spaces requires a sophisticated security infrastructure.

We spoke with some of the leading global security solution providers with a strong presence in the region to get their perspective on this sector. It’s important to note that these interviews were not conducted in relation to the One Bangkok case study.

Justin Kumulia, business development manager of intercoms and access control in APAC at Axis Communications, highlighted some of the complexities.

“Mixed-use properties blend retail, residential, and office spaces, each with unique security needs,” Kumulia said. “Balancing safety and privacy in these dynamic environments is challenging, especially with high foot traffic and complex regional data protection laws.”

Ensuring security without infringing on personal privacy requires intelligent video analytics and access control technologies that are designed to be adaptable.

Surveillance and Privacy: Striking the Right Balance

A major challenge in large-scale developments is securing public spaces without overly surveilling private areas.

“Imagine a bustling shopping center with connected residential units,” Kumulia said. “Security teams must monitor retail areas for suspicious behavior without intruding on the privacy of residents.”

One solution is to use intelligent analytics such as loitering detection. “Loitering Guard detects and alerts when someone lingers in a specific area for too long. This can be useful in preventing unwanted behavior or ensuring safety in areas where prolonged presence is unusual or suspicious.”

Additionally, efficient vehicle access management is essential for residential security. “License plate recognition simplifies parking management by permitting only authorized vehicles to enter the residents’ parking area,” Kumilia added. “This boosts security and privacy, ensuring residents feel safe without the need for intrusive surveillance.”

Access Control Challenges and Solutions

With thousands of visitors daily, One Bangkok must ensure smooth access control while preventing unauthorized entry.

Prabhuraj Patil, senior director for physical access control solutions in ASEAN and India Subcontinent at HID, outlines the difficulties:

“Mixed-use properties present unique access control challenges due to the diverse range of tenants, visitors, and operational needs. These properties often house a combination of residential units, commercial spaces, retail establishments, and shared facilities, which require a security framework that is both robust and flexible.”

Traditional access control methods, like keycards, are now being supplemented by mobile credentialing and cloud-based management.

“Our mobile access solutions allow residents and employees to use their smartphones as secure credentials, reducing reliance on physical cards and enhancing user experience,” Patil said. “Additionally, our cloud-based access control platforms enable property managers to centrally manage access rights in real time, ensuring a seamless yet secure environment.”

Visitor management systems further streamline security without causing inconvenience. “For mixed-use developments, our solutions support visitor management systems, which help streamline guest access while ensuring compliance with security protocols,” Patil added.

The Future of Security in Urban Developments

As One Bangkok nears completion, its security framework will serve as a model for other large-scale projects. By integrating AI-driven surveillance, mobile access solutions, and cloud-based management, the development aims to provide a seamless yet secure environment.

The challenge lies in continuously evolving security measures to keep pace with Bangkok’s rapid urban growth.

With mixed-use properties becoming the future of urban planning, balancing accessibility, security, and privacy will remain a critical factor in their success.