Conviviality means living happily together in the company of each other. A convivial public open space represents a healthy society. The qualities of the built environment surrounding a public open space can play an important role to make it friendly, sociable or convivial. This paper aims to investigate the conviviality of public open spaces with reference to visual aesthetics of the built environment around them. For this investigation, a perception survey has been carried out to examine the users’ perception of conviviality and built environment qualities of selected eight public open spaces in new market, Bhopal. The data gathered are analysed using the correlation between perception of built environment qualities (aesthetics, legibility and walkability) and supporting variables of conviviality. Aesthetics of a typical building facade in two public open spaces has been objectively measured apart from public perception. The objective measurement will help to rationalise the public perception of aesthetics. The objective measurement is based on the Gestalt law of visual organisation for evaluating visual aesthetics of a building facade using order and complexity. This study will help urban designers and planners to understand the role of aesthetics in creating convivial public open spaces.

Conviviality refers to happy and friendly coexistence. Public open spaces bring people together. They are considered as convivial when people feel joyful and lively while visiting them. Several studies suggests that physical qualities of a public open space can influence their conviviality. Legibility is considered as one of the most important physical qualities of urban spaces. Due to better legibility a space becomes more visible and accessible. Therefore, legibility increases the value of a public open space as a gathering place. To understand the role of legibility in bringing conviviality to a public open space, a perception survey is carried out at eight public open spaces in New Market, Bhopal. The data gathered from the perception survey is analysed with ANOVA and correlation tests on SPSS to determine the variance and correlation between perception of people regarding ease of locating a selected open space and overall conviviality of a public open space. To measure the physical dimension of legibility of the public open space, a space syntax tool known as visibility graph analysis in depth map X software is used. The approach adopted in this study helps to understand public perception about legibility and conviviality of public open spaces and outcome is analysed with the help of space syntax tool.