Left Bousfield localization without left properness (Q6199035)

The left Bousfield localization of a model category \(\mathcal{M}\) relative to a class of morphisms \(\mathcal{C}\) is a model structure \(L_{\mathcal{C}}(\mathcal{M})\) on the category \(\mathcal{M}\), where the morphisms in \(\mathcal{C}\) are contained in the weak equivalences in \(L_{\mathcal{C}}(\mathcal{M})\), and the identity functor \(id:\mathcal{M}\rightarrow L_{\mathcal{C}}(\mathcal{M})\) abides by the universal property that, for any model category \(\mathcal{N}\), any left Quillen functor \(F:\mathcal{M}\rightarrow\mathcal{N}\), taking the morphisms in \(\mathcal{C}\) to weak equivalences in \(\mathcal{N}\), factors through \(L_{\mathcal{C}}(\mathcal{M})\). Normally, to prove that \(L_{\mathcal{C}}(\mathcal{M})\) exists one requires \(\mathcal{C}\) to be a set, and \(\mathcal{M}\) to be left proper and cellular [\textit{P. S. Hirschhorn}, Model categories and their localizations. Providence, RI: American Mathematical Society (AMS) (2003; Zbl 1017.55001)] or left proper and combinatoriral [\textit{C. Barwick}, Homology Homotopy Appl. 12, No. 2, 245--320 (2010; Zbl 1243.18025); \textit{T. Beke}, Math. Proc. Camb. Philos. Soc. 129, No. 3, 447--475 (2000; Zbl 0964.55018)]. This paper demonstrates that, even without left properness, \(L_{\mathcal{C}}(\mathcal{M})\) still exists as a semi-model category [\textit{M. Spitzweck}, Operads, algebras and modules in model categories and motives. Bonn: Univ. Bonn. Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät (Dissertation) (2001; Zbl 1103.18300)], satisfying the universal property to the category of semi-model categories. The synopsis of the paper goes as follows. \begin{itemize} \item[\S 2] recalls definitions and useful results about semi-model categoreis and about left Boufield localizations. \item[\S 3] establishes the following version of Smith's theorem [\textit{C. Barwick}, Homology Homotopy Appl. 12, No. 2, 245--320 (2010; Zbl 1243.18025); \textit{T. Beke}, Math. Proc. Camb. Philos. Soc. 129, No. 3, 447--475 (2000; Zbl 0964.55018)]. Theorem 3.1. Suppose \(\mathcal{M}\) is a locally presentable category with a class \(\mathcal{W}\) of weak equivalences and a set of morphisms \(I\) abiding by \begin{itemize} \item[(1)] The class of weak equivalences with cofibrant domains is \(\kappa\)-accessible. \item[(2)] The class \(\mathcal{W}\) is closed under retracts and the two-out-of-three property. \item[(3)] Any morphism \(inj(I)\) is a weak equivalence. \item[(4)] Within the class of trivial fibrations \ morphisms with cofibrant domains are closed under pushouts to arbitrary cofibrant objects and under transfinite composition. \item[(5)] The morphisms of \(I\) have cofibrant domains. \end{itemize} Then there is a cofibrantly generated semi-model structure on \(\mathcal{M}\) with generating cofibrations \(I\), generating trivial cofibrations \(J\), cofibrations \(\mathrm{cof\,}I\), and fibrations defined by the right lifting property with respect to \(J\). Furthermore, the generating trivial cofibrations \(J\) have cofibrant domains. \item[\S 4] establishes the following main result of this paper by using the above theorem. Theorems 4.2 and 4.3. Suppose that \(\mathcal{M}\) is a combinatorial semi-model category whose generating cofibrations have cofibrant domains, and \(\mathcal{C}\) is a set of morphisms of \(\mathcal{M}\). Then there is a semi-model structure \(L_{\mathcal{C}}(\mathcal{M})\) on \(\mathcal{M}\), whose weak equivalences are the \(\mathcal{C}\)-local equivalences, whose cofibrations are the same as \(\mathcal{M}\), and whose fibrant objects are the \(\mathcal{C}\)-local objects. Furthermore, \(L_{\mathcal{C}}(\mathcal{M})\) satisfies the universal property that, for any left Quillen functor of semi-model categories \(F:\mathcal{M}\rightarrow\mathcal{N}\) taking \(\mathcal{C}\) into the weak equivalences of \(\mathcal{N}\), then \(F\) is a left Quillen functor when viewed as \(F:L_{\mathcal{C}}(\mathcal{M})\rightarrow\mathcal{N}\). \item[\S 5] provides myriad applications of Theorem A, most of which are model categories failing to be left proper. The authors begin with an example of \textit{V. Voevodsky} [J. \(K\)-Theory 5, No. 2, 201--244 (2010; Zbl 1194.55021)], then discussing the main application [\textit{M. Batanin} and \textit{D. White}, Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 375, No. 5, 3569--3640 (2022; Zbl 1486.18015)]. Finally, they explore applications to categories of algebras over operads, spectra/stabilization, (weakly) enriched categoreis, and Goodwillie calculus. \end{itemize}