What law enforced the segregation of living areas based on race?

The Group Areas Act was a cornerstone of apartheid legislation that enforced the segregation of living areas based on race in South Africa. Implemented in 1950, this law designated specific areas for different racial groups, leading to the forced removal of non-white individuals from areas designated for white residents. This act was a fundamental component of the apartheid system, aiming to create and maintain racial separation in residential, commercial, and industrial spaces.

The significance of the Group Areas Act lies in its role in institutionalizing the spatial division of races, fostering an environment where racial discrimination was codified into law. Over time, the implementation of this act resulted in widespread displacement, urban decay in areas where non-whites were relocated, and a systemic reinforcement of social inequalities.

Other options like the Pass Laws primarily regulated the movement of black South Africans and required them to carry passbooks to enter certain areas, whereas the Land Act was focused on land ownership and usage rights. The Homelands Act created "homelands" or Bantustans for black South Africans, which were supposed to serve as separate nation-states. However, these laws did not specifically target residential segregation in the same way that the Group Areas Act did.