This is primarily a European concept, using the term woonerf – Dutch for “living street” – that removes the traffic lights, stop signs, curbs, striping, etc. and blends the vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic patterns into one shared, dynamic and vibrant space in which, for lack of a better term, anything goes. To quote the article referenced in the following link: “The basic idea is that once these controls are stripped away, everyone is forced to become more alert and ultimately more cooperative. Through less restraint comes greater focus.”
Click through for a very interesting article on the concept, and for an informative video that does a great job of illustrating the concept: