Toppilansalmi Strait has a long tradition as a harbour area for Oulu. As the main harbour of the city and other industrial activities will be relocated, Toppilansalmi Strait will be ready for a new use. A residential area on the south side of Toppilansalmi Strait, Toppila Island, was the location for the National Housing Fair in 2005.

The planning was started with the outline plan (approved in June 2006). City plan will be done in two phases. The city plan for the first phase, Toppilansalmi, was approved by the City council in February 2010. Construction of the roads on the first area has started in the spring of 2010.

The city plan process for the second area, Ranta-Toppila, has been started in 2010. The goal is to create a new housing, service and leisure area that will be connected to the water landscape. The area will include an area for maritime housing, a marina and a Sea Centre with cultural functions.

Toppila Shore II has been chosen as the project area in Oulu for the EU Interreg IVC project B-Team - Brownfield Policy Improvement Task Force.

The first Brownfield Days were held in Oulu September 13th – 16th 2010.