New challenges for urban social work and urban social work research

Most European cities have been, and still are, faced with a strong increase of inhabitants with other ethnic backgrounds. Globalization has increased the processes of migration during the last three decades, especially to urban areas. These processes are changing cities and their social landscape profoundly, not least because many migrants are being confronted with structural social exclusion. Consequently this evolution becomes one of the most important challenges for urban social work. One of the targets of social work research in an urban context in Europe is the need to interculturalize the way social work operates. In this article I explore how this increasing ethnic diversity is becoming one of the main challenges for urban social work. Specific methodologies are required to reach empowerment objectives with the diversity of citizens in urban contexts. Reflecting on a selection of cases, the article explores theoretical and methodological challenges for urban social work research.