From Brazil to NYC to Michigan: Manuela Powidayko’s path to planning Mt. Pleasant

Great communities are born of intentionality and sound planning. Cities must have structure in order to properly serve all interest groups. The Mt. Pleasant community is no exception, and it is Manuela Powidayko’s job to ensure it remains that way. 

Powidayko has been the director of planning and community development for the City of Mt. Pleasant since 2021, bringing with her a wealth of experience and unique perspectives. 

Originally from the south of Brazil, Powidayko earned her master’s degree from Columbia University before landing a job in New York City’s planning department. 

Now, Powidayko is using her skillset to make Mt. Pleasant a better place to live and work.

“The outcome I always want is to provide a physical design [for public spaces] that will ultimately encourage people to meet,” says Powidayko. 

Speaking highly of the community that provides the framework for her professional role, Powidayko says, “I would never expect such a large number of services, restaurants, and businesses from a community of only 22,000 people.” 

“I’m from a country where the parks are kind of leftover spaces. Here, we have this system of parks that are all connected,” she continues on the merits of Mt. Pleasant.

As much as she admires and appreciates Mt. Pleasant, Powidayko originally came to the U.S. at the behest of a different sort of adoration. 

“I came to the U.S. because of my husband. I did not come to study, nor for a job. I literally came here out of love, just to follow him,” she says. 

However, over time, Powidayko was able to forge her own professional path in the US—one that has spanned several jobs and cities.

As the setting has changed for Powidayko over the course of her career, her passion for urban planning has not. 

On the origin of this passion, she says, “I initially decided to study architecture because I grew up in construction sites with my mother, who was a construction manager. [Throughout my coursework] I fell in love with urban planning. I could see that as an architect, I would only be able to reach one family at a time, but with city planning, I was hoping to bring a better quality of life to a whole population.”

Now, as she is about to complete her fourth year as the city planner for Mt. Pleasant, Powidayko uses what she learned in her many years of education, certainly, but she also has a pragmatic mindset that helps her accomplish her goals. 

“I love visionary people who are also grounded in reality. I can see the potential of communities in my head, but at the same time, I don’t always think we’re going to get there tomorrow,” she says, speaking on the logistical challenges of her job. “I like being able to break down a big idea into small chunks and make it more achievable. I think it’s my favorite part of my job.”

While Powidayko’s role has regulatory aspects to it, she makes a point of being accommodating and adaptable, whenever possible.

“I believe that I provide enough flexibility when trying to find creative solutions. We have a regulatory framework for a reason. We want to have good designs. But at the same time, we don’t want to be cost prohibitive,” Powidayko explains. 

As Powidayko is accommodating and welcoming to the city’s partners, the Mt. Pleasant community has treated her the same. 

“I was welcomed very well to the community. I had neighbors stopping by right away, introducing themselves, and even offering me free bikes. I didn’t have a driver’s license when I first moved here because I only used public transit in NYC, so that was very welcoming of my neighbors,” she recalls.

Powidayko is now a seasoned member of the Mt. Pleasant community, though she has had to overcome more than most to achieve such a status, including significant cultural and linguistic obstacles. 

“It’s a challenge every day, but as I get to meet people and provide my expertise, I feel increasingly confident,” she shares. 

Powidayko’s determination and strength are evident, as she says, “One thing that helps me a lot is, ‘You already have ‘no’ as an answer.’ It’s a phrase I say to myself a lot. You are never going to lose for trying.”