Harland Bartholomew
Encyclopedia
Harland Bartholomew 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. 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.
on September 14, 1889. 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.
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.
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. He was appointed to Federal planning committees by three US Presidents—Herbert Hoover
, Franklin D. Roosevelt
, and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
From 1918 to 1956 Bartholomew taught civic design at the University of Illinois.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
urban planner
Urban planner
An urban planner or city planner is a professional who works in the field of urban planning/land use planning for the purpose of optimizing the effectiveness of a community's land use and infrastructure. They formulate plans for the development and management of urban and suburban areas, typically...
. 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
Transportation planning
Transportation planning is a field involved with the evaluation, assessment, design and siting of transportation facilities .-Models and Sustainability :...
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
Urban planning
Urban planning incorporates areas such as economics, design, ecology, sociology, geography, law, political science, and statistics to guide and ensure the orderly development of settlements and communities....
in North America today. This novel approach became known as comprehensive planning
Comprehensive planning
Comprehensive planning is a term used in the United States by land use planners to describe a process that determines community goals and aspirations in terms of community development. The outcome of comprehensive planning is the Comprehensive Plan which dictates public policy in terms of...
. 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. 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.
Early life
Bartholomew was born in Stoneham, MassachusettsStoneham, Massachusetts
Stoneham is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Its population was 21,437 at the 2010 census, down from 22,219 in 2000. The town is the birthplace of Olympic figure skating medalist Nancy Kerrigan and is the home of the Stone Zoo.- History :...
on September 14, 1889. Harland received an honorary degree in Civil Engineering from Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
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.
Planning activities conducted
- 1911-1915 Newark, New Jersey, comprehensive plan
- 1916-1920 St.Louis, Missouri, comprehensive plan
- 1920 Memphis, Tennessee, comprehensive plan
- 1920-1921 Lansing, Michigan, comprehensive plan
- 1921-1922 Wichita, Kansas, comprehensive plan
- 1922 Evansville, Indiana, comprehensive plan
- 1924 Los Angeles, California, transportation plan
- 1925 Kenosha, Wisconsin, comprehensive plan
- 1927 Peoria, Illinois, comprehensive plan
- 1927 Grand Rapids, Michigan. land use and transportation plan.
- 1926-1930 Vancouver, BC, comprehensive plan
- 1928 Saint Louis county, Missouri, transportation plan
- 1929 Rochester, New York, comprehensive plan
- 1930 San Antonio, Texas, comprehensive plan
- 1930-1934 St.Louis Regional Plan
- 1935 Williamsburg, Virginia, Colonial National Parkway tunnel
- 1931-1939 Edited "Land Subdivision Manual",Manual 16 published by The American Society of Civil Engineer
- 1940-1944 Interstate Highway System, Principles for locating highways in urban areas
- 1953-1959 Transportation Plan, Washington, DC
Career
In 1919, he established Harland Bartholomew and Associates and served as its chairman until his retirement in 1962.He served as city planning commissioner in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, the first full-time planner employed by an American city. He served in that capacity until 1950.
He was noted for his work by the administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
, including his work on the Washington Metro
Washington Metro
The Washington Metro, commonly called Metro, and unofficially Metrorail, is the rapid transit system in Washington, D.C., United States, and its surrounding suburbs. It is administered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority , which also operates Metrobus service under the Metro name...
as chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission
National Capital Planning Commission
The National Capital Planning Commission is a U.S. government agency that provides planning guidance for Washington, D.C. and the surrounding National Capital Region...
, and advocating society first planning for freeway building. He was appointed to Federal planning committees by three US Presidents—Herbert Hoover
Herbert Hoover
Herbert Clark Hoover was the 31st President of the United States . Hoover was originally a professional mining engineer and author. As the United States Secretary of Commerce in the 1920s under Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge, he promoted partnerships between government and business...
, Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
, and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
From 1918 to 1956 Bartholomew taught civic design at the University of Illinois.
See also
- Eldridge LovelaceEldridge LovelaceEldridge Hirst Lovelace was a city planner and author who prepared comprehensive plans for many large US cities.-Early life:Mr...
- American Planning AssociationAmerican Planning AssociationThe American Planning Association is a professional organization representing the field of city and regional planning in the United States. The APA was formed in 1978 when two separate professional planning organizations, the American Institute of Planners and the American Society of Planning...
- City planning
- UrbanizationUrbanizationUrbanization, urbanisation or urban drift is the physical growth of urban areas as a result of global change. The United Nations projected that half of the world's population would live in urban areas at the end of 2008....
External links
- New York Times Obituary, December 7, 1989
- Article on how Harland Bartholomew laid the groundwork for the phenomenon we today disparagingly call urban sprawl Article uses the comprehensive plan for Rochester, New York, 1929 to show how road design contributed to sprawling development and inner city decay. Excellent original illustrations from the comprehensive report.