From conflict spaces to negotiation spaces through the combination of music therapy with mediative approaches

The project explores the contribution that music therapy approaches can make to the prevention and handling of conflicts in public spaces. The setting is Seestadt Aspern: Together with residents and other local actors, the team first identifies areas where interventions could be useful, then jointly develops appropriate music therapy activities, which will ultimately be tested and evaluated on site.

Music therapy approaches enable the clarification of concerns and attitudes, the concretization of diffuse conflicts, the promotion of mutual understanding, and the playful testing of alternative ways of dealing with conflicts and possible solutions.

Conflict mediation as a mediative process is based on the basic principles of impartiality, acceptance, recognition, and affirmation. With the help of a structured approach in which issues are identified, needs and interests are exchanged, and creative solutions are developed together, the goal is to improve communication between the parties in conflict in the long term.

Project team: Julia Fent, Tobias Aumann, Ute Glentzer

Project duration: March – December 2026

Project partner: Wien 3420 Aspern Development AG

Funding: mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna

Funding amount: EUR 11,000.00

Contact: fent@mdw.ac.at