Homology manifolds (Q2776348)

This is a survey about generalized manifolds, also known as ANR homology manifolds. Specifically, a generalized \(n\)-manifold \(X\) is an ANR such that, for each \(x\in X\) \(H_n(X,X- \{x\};\mathbb{Z}) \cong H_n(\mathbb{R}^n, \mathbb{R}^n -\{0\}:\mathbb{Z})\). After reviewing geometric methods for characterizing genuine manifolds among the generalized ones, the author reviews the applications of controlled topology towards a classification of these objects. These include the examples of \textit{J. Bryant}, \textit{S. Ferry}, \textit{W. Mio} and \textit{S. Weinberger} [Ann. Math. (2) 143, No. 3, 435-467 (1996; Zbl 0867.57016)] of generalized manifolds which are not manifold factors, the classification of such examples up to \(s\)-cobordism, and the construction by the same authors (in preparation) of especially nice examples -- generalized manifolds satisfying the disjoint disks property -- within each homotopy class. There are remarks about infinite-dimensional features, speculations about what the future might hold, and a brief discussion of open problems.NEWLINENEWLINEFor the entire collection see [Zbl 0977.00029].