Coarse and Lipschitz universality

Abstract: In this paper we provide several \emph{metric universality} results. We exhibit for certain classes $\cC$ of metric spaces, families of metric spaces $(M_i, d_i){i\in I}$ which have the property that a metric space $(X,d_X)$ in $\cC$ is coarsely, resp. Lipschitzly, universal for all spaces in $\cC$ if the collection of spaces $(M_i,d_i){i\in I}$ equi-coarsely, respectively equi-Lipschitzly, embeds into $(X,d_X)$. Such families are built as certain Schreier-type metric subsets of $\co$. We deduce a metric analog to Bourgain's theorem, which generalized Szlenk's theorem, and prove that a space which is coarsely universal for all separable reflexive asymptotic-$c_0$ Banach spaces is coarsely universal for all separable metric spaces. One of our coarse universality results is valid under Martin's Axiom and the negation of the Continuum Hypothesis. We discuss the strength of the universality statements that can be obtained without these additional set theoretic assumptions. In the second part of the paper, we study universality properties of Kalton's interlacing graphs. In particular, we prove that every finite metric space embeds almost isometrically in some interlacing graph of large enough diameter.