# If $E$ maps onto a contractible space with contractible fibers, must $E$ be contractible?

Let $p\colon E\to C$ be a continuous, surjective map between topological spaces with $C$ contractible. Suppose that $p^{-1}(c)$ is contractible for each $c\in C$. Is it true that $E$ is weakly contractible?

If not, what are some mild conditions that will guarantee that this is true? I am aware that this is true if $p$ is a (quasi-)fibration. Sorry if this is an easy question.

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For a less pathological counterexample, consider the obvious bijection $[0,1]\cup (2,3]\to [0,2]$. –  Eric Wofsey Jun 20 '14 at 12:40
Look up the Vietoris–Begle mapping theorem. –  Jeff Strom Jun 20 '14 at 13:30

Here is the main theorem of "A Vietoris Mapping Theorem for Homotopy" by S. Smale:

THEOREM: Let $f:X\to Y$ be proper and onto, where $Y$ and $X$ are

• $0$-connected
• separable
• locally compact
• metric.

Assume $X$ is $LC^n$ (which I presume means locally $n$-connected) and that for each $y\in Y$, $f^{-1}(Y)$ is $LC^{n-1}$ and $(n-1)$-connected. Then

1. $Y$ is $LC^n$ and
2. $f$ is an $n$-equivalence.

1. $f$ is proper means the preimages of compact sets are compact; this is automatic if $X$ is compact and $Y$ is Hausdorff.
2. the local conditions on $X$ and $Y$ are satisfied if $X$ and $Y$ are CW complexes.
In your situation, if your $f$ satisfies the conditions of this theorem for all $n$, then we deduce that $f$ is an $n$-equivalence for all $n$ and hence that $E$ is weakly contractible because $C$ is contractible.