This is a definition of Yanovski.
Defn Let be a -small space
Example , , we recover the rationalization of the usual Euler characteristic. To get the integral version, we might set and use the heuristic .
Setting
The relevant class of objects is
Defn (p-small spaces) subcategory generated by -finite -spaces under finite colimits.
That is, it’s the homotopical version of finite -groups.
Example , for a finite group, and any finite colimits built out of these.
Example B^n\mathbb Z_\hat p are -small. This is a key example, as they are the tori in this setting: A -action on a space is equivalent to an action by B^n\mathbb Z_\hat p