Johnston and Talen use survey data to investigate the experience of developers employing New Urbanist techniques. The authors conclude that for cases in which affordable housing has been included in New Urbanist projects, developers typically relied on complex arrangements or incentives to achieve this goal. Whether New Urbanist objectives and the promotion of affordable housing can be simultaneously incorporated in projects on a large scale remains an open question.

This comment identifies the incentives available for affordable housing and community development and notes the problems that ensue when these incentives are used together. Further, this comment examines the market-demand challenges faced by developers trying to construct affordable housing within a New Urbanist framework. The findings suggest that the most efficient way to further New Urbanist principles, where the market demands such techniques, is to increase the flexibility of tax incentive programs.