Supporting people in vulnerable positions and strengthening the social fabric in cities are urgent challenges for social work professionals. That is because a socially sound city is a better city in many respects, including health, development, and the quality of life. The Urban Social Work research group examines the knowledge and skills that are needed for this. We carry out this work in partnership with professionals, informal and formal practitioners, and residents.
The ageing population and the increase in chronic illnesses and in loneliness are major challenges facing healthcare, but also the care sector. Together with housing corporations, healthcare and social care partners and residents, we are working on the Lang Leven Thuisflats projects. These are housing complexes that are designed to enable the elderly to live in their own homes for as long as possible.
Because of the lack of affordable homes in Amsterdam Nieuw-West, many residents move elsewhere. Local investment in education and employment can improve the social position of the area. As part of the Wijk en Wonen programme of the Kenniscentrum Ongelijkheid knowledge centre, we examine how shared housing in residential complexes in Nieuw-West is progressing and what impact this selective migration is having.
The research group coordinates the regional Werkplaats Sociaal Domein Amsterdam en Omgeving. This is a partnership involving regional universities of applied sciences, healthcare and care institutions, local authorities, client organisations, and knowledge institutions. We jointly set and implement a regional knowledge and development agenda for the purpose of addressing more effectively the issues affecting the social domain.
Lex Veldboer his work as a professor focuses on social work in deprived neighbourhoods in urban agglomerations, known as 'development neigbourhoods’ in Amsterdam. They are areas of great poverty, high social exclusion and ethnic diversity, low social organisation and high organisational complexity. Social workers and other professionals and volunteers work together in these areas under difficult circumstances to improve the position of disadvantaged city dwellers.
