Phosphorus (P) resources globally are considered limited. P originates from a mined non-renewable rock, therefore its presence in the urban-shed demonstrates the impact of urbanisation and the anthropogenic influences on natural cycles of material flow. Any recycling of P is therefore becoming increasingly important. In passing through the linear urban system P is mobilised from particulate to soluble forms. With the present level of nutrient losses from urban water management into the aquatic environment (leading to adverse health and ecological impacts) commitment to urban or peri-urban ecological agriculture (without synthetic fertilisers) offers an attractive solution to the management of urban organic “wastes”.
GUMBO, B. (1999): Establishing Phosphorus Fluxes Through Material Flow Accounting and Systems Thinking in an Urban Shed in Harare, Zimbabwe. Harare: SSRZ Seminar II URL [Accessed: 10.04.2019]