Bredon cohomology of finite dimensional \(C_p\)-spaces (Q2240602)

Let \(G=C_p\) be a cyclic group of prime order \(p\). This paper calculates the \(RO(G)\)-graded cohomology of a free \(G\)-CW complex \(X\) with constant \(\mathbb Z/p\) coefficients from the ordinary mod \(p\) cohomology of its orbit space \(X/G\). If \(X\) is connected as a space, then its \(RO(G)\)-graded cohomology is calculated as a module over the cohomology of a point. Applications include a new proof of the topological Tverberg conjecture in the prime case and for finite dimensional \(X\), the introduction of a numerical index that is identified with the Fadell-Husseini index of \(X\). Finally, a counter-example due to Clover May shows that the freeness theorem for \(C_2\)-representation complexes of [\textit{W. C. Kronholm}, Topology Appl. 157, No. 5, 902--915 (2010; Zbl 1194.55011)] does not extend directly to odd primes \(p\), but an analogue of the freeness theorem is proved for \(C_p\)-representation complexes that do not have cells in consecutive dimensions.