Finite-dimensionality of \(\mathcal Z\)-boundaries (Q2630776)

``We refine the notion of \(\mathcal{Z}\)-boundaries of groups introduced by \textit{M. Bestvina} [Mich. Math. J. 43, No. 1, 123--139 (1996; Zbl 0872.57005)] and further developed by \textit{A. N. Dranishnikov} [Contemp. Math. 394, 77--85 (2006; Zbl 1106.20034)]. We then show that the standard assumption of finite-dimensionality can be omitted as the result follows from the other assumptions.'' A separable metric space \(X\) is called an absolute retract if whenever it is embedded as a closed subset of another separable metric space \(Y\) its image is a retract of \(Y\). \(X\) is called an absolute neighborhood retract if some neighborhood of \(X\) in \(Y\) retracts onto \(X\). ``A closed subset, \(A\) of an absolute neighborhood retract \(X\) is a \(\mathcal{Z}\)-set if there exists a homotopy \(H:X \times [0,1] \to X\) such that \(H_0 = \text{id}_X\) and \(H_t(X) \subset X - A\) for every \(t >0\). A \(\mathcal{Z}\)-compactification of a space \(Y\) is a compactification \(\hat{Y}\) such that \(\hat{Y} - Y\) is a \(\mathcal{Z}\)-set in \(\hat{Y}.\)'' ``A \(\mathcal{Z}\)-structure on a group \(G\) is a pair of spaces \((\hat{X}, Z)\) satisfying the following conditions: (1) \(\hat{X}\) is a compact, finite-dimensional absolute retract, (2) \(\hat{X}\) is a \(\mathcal{Z}\)-compactification of \(X = \hat{X} -Z\), (3) \(G\) acts properly, cocompactly and freely on \(X\), and (4) For every compactum \(C\) of \(X\) and any open cover \(\mathcal{U}\) of \(\hat{X}\), all but finitely many \(G\) translates of \(C\) lie in an element of \(\mathcal{U}\).'' ``Let \((X,d)\) be a metric space. A metric \(\mathcal{Z}\)-structure on a \(X\) is a pair of spaces \((\hat{X}, Z)\) satisfying the following conditions: (1) \(\hat{X}\) is a compact, finite-dimensional absolute retract, (2) \(\hat{X}\) is a \(\mathcal{Z}\)-compactification of \(X = \hat{X} -Z\), (3) \(X\) admits a cocompact action by isometries by some group \(G\), and (4) For every \(\epsilon > 0\) and for each bounded subset \(U\) of \(X\), there exists a compact subset \(C\) of \(X\) such that any \(G\)-translate of \(U\) that does not intersect \(C\) has diameter less that \(\epsilon\).'' The author shows two finite dimensionality results: ``Let \((X,d)\) be a metric space which admits a metric \(\mathcal{Z}\)-structure \((\hat{X}, Z)\). Then \(\dim Z < \infty\).'' ``Suppose a group \(G\) admits an absolute retract \(\mathcal{Z}\)-structure. Then \(G\) admits a \(\mathcal{Z}\)-structure.''