Hey guys, it's Katie again! Two weeks from today we will be on our way to England… I can't believe time is going by so quickly! Going along with this week's theme of economic and community development, our DukeEngage group of 15 divided into groups of three and participated in an "economic" activity in Durham. The options of which economic activity to engage in was limited only to our creativity, ranging from eating at a restaurant, shopping, attending a festival downtown, etc.
Luckily, by having my car, we had even more options. Canshu, Jiayu and I decided to shop at The Streets at Southpoint for our activity. While the mall is a little farther from Duke's campus and where we usually explore, Southpoint is most certainly an economic hub, with attractions such as restaurants, shopping, and a movie theater. I have visited Southpoint countless times in my three years at Duke, but I have never gone with the my mindset on economic inclusivity. As I walked around the mall, in and out of stores, and through the food court, I tried to observe the certain groups of people who were partaking in this "economic activity." The price ranges at the mall range drastically, offering options for people at most spending levels. There is a wide span of costs for food and shopping, as well as free activities such as music in the courtyard every Saturday. However, it is possible that transportation limits the certain groups of people who can benefit from Southpoint. While there are buses that run to the mall, the most common form of transportation is by car. Those without a car living in Durham may face more difficulties when trying to visit Southpoint. All in all, it was a different and rewarding experience visiting a place I often frequent with a new appreciation and awareness for its connection and impact on the economy!
Luckily, by having my car, we had even more options. Canshu, Jiayu and I decided to shop at The Streets at Southpoint for our activity. While the mall is a little farther from Duke's campus and where we usually explore, Southpoint is most certainly an economic hub, with attractions such as restaurants, shopping, and a movie theater. I have visited Southpoint countless times in my three years at Duke, but I have never gone with the my mindset on economic inclusivity. As I walked around the mall, in and out of stores, and through the food court, I tried to observe the certain groups of people who were partaking in this "economic activity." The price ranges at the mall range drastically, offering options for people at most spending levels. There is a wide span of costs for food and shopping, as well as free activities such as music in the courtyard every Saturday. However, it is possible that transportation limits the certain groups of people who can benefit from Southpoint. While there are buses that run to the mall, the most common form of transportation is by car. Those without a car living in Durham may face more difficulties when trying to visit Southpoint. All in all, it was a different and rewarding experience visiting a place I often frequent with a new appreciation and awareness for its connection and impact on the economy!