Curvature, tangentiality, and controlled topology (Q1177906)

The article deals with manifolds \(M\) admittingt a complete Riemannian metric of non-positive special curvature. The main geometric result is described as follows. Let \(f: M\to N\) be a homotopy equivalence which is a homeomorphism outside a compact set. Suppose that \(M\) has a complete Riemannian metric of non-positive sectional curvature. Then \(f\) is unstably normal, i.e., \(f\) is covered by a map \(\hat f: \tau M\to \tau N\) of topological tangent bundles which is properly homotopic to a homeomorphism. This result implies for example the Novikov conjecture for manifolds admitting a complete Riemannian metric of non-positive sectional curvature. It is also shown for such manifolds that the forgetful map from \(\hbox{Diffeo}^ c_ 0(M)\) to \(\hbox{Homeo}^ c_ 0(M)\) has a homotopy section and that the \(A\)-theory assembly map from \(M_ +\wedge A(*)\) to \(A(M)\) is split injective.