Harland Bartholomew (September 14, 1889 – December 2, 1989) was an American urban planner. Although a civil engineer by training and disposition, Harland's career started just as the automobile production was about to take off, industrial development was booming and urban populations grew. The novel challenges and opportunities brought about by this new form of transport inspired the invention of new community concepts and required the development of new approaches to planning transportation in cities. These challenges called for the skills of an engineer to analyze transportation needs quantitiatively as well as those of a person passionate about urban design and social conditions. Harland was able to deliver these qualities. Starting in 1911 and continuing until 1930 Harland Bartholomew created new methodologies and new designs and concepts which made contributions that remain relevant to urban planning in North America today. This novel approach became known as comprehensive planning. His skills and experience were sought by many city planning commissions. Ultimately cities would develop their own in house technical staff to carry on with planning issues. Harland himself was the first full-time planner employed by an American city, and he remained a planner with St. Louis, Missouri for 37 years.[1] During this period both the city of St.Louis and its surrounding areas were thriving and growing. Due to his groundbreaking work he can be described as the father of American and Canadian city planning in the age of the automobile.[2]
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Bartholomew was born in Stoneham, Massachusetts on September 14, 1889.[1] Harland received an honorary degree in Civil Engineering from Rutgers University in 1921. He had earlier been able to complete two years at Rutgers, but due to lack of funds, was unable to continue his studies. From there, he was able to find a position with E.P. Goodrich, a civil engineering firm that happened to be a strong advocate for the efficient planning of cities.
In 1919, he established Harland Bartholomew and Associates and served as its chairman until his retirement in 1962.[1]
He served as city planning commissioner in St. Louis, the first full-time planner employed by an American city. He served in that capacity until 1950.[1]
He was noted for his work by the administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, including his work on the Washington Metro as chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission, and advocating society first planning for freeway building.[3] He was appointed to Federal planning committees by three US Presidents—Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Dwight D. Eisenhower.[4]
From 1918 to 1956 Bartholomew taught civic design at the University of Illinois.[4]