In the new area earmarked for development in Ranta-Toppila in Oulu, contamination caused mainly by metals has been identified stemming from past activities in the area. The regeneration of the area earmarked for development into a residential area started in autumn 2016. The city of Oulu has applied to the Northern Finland regional administrative agency for an environmental permit to make use of excavated soil for the construction of a park on earth mounds being built in the area of Meri-Toppila. The construction of the earth mounds in Meri-Toppila began in late 2016 and is due to be completed by the end of 2020. Overall, some 70 000 m³ of surplus, mildly degraded soil resulting from construction work in Ranta-Toppila has been used for the construction of the earth mounds.
The use of this surplus and mildly degraded soil in the immediate vicinity of the area from where the soil was taken significantly reduces construction-related emissions, when the alternative would be to transport the soil to a land deposition site in the city. Re-using soil for park construction minimises the necessary journeys by transport and reduces the pressure on the city's landfills.
The reception capacity of Oulu's current landfill sites risks being exhausted by 2026, which means that new sites should soon be planned and authorised. If each development project were to plan at an early stage the re-use of excavated soil from the area, it would significantly reduce the burden on landfill sites and no new deposition areas would be needed. This would result in a significant reduction in construction's carbon footprint.
