Sydney councils will be required to develop strategies to boost housing supply within their districts over the next five years, as the Greater Sydney Commission reaffirms its ambitious housing targets in revised plans.

The updated draft district plans, released by the commission on Thursday, hold firm on mandating Sydney councils find a way to provide almost 200,000 more dwellings by 2021, despite concerns about housing density and the provision of more transport and infrastructure featuring prominently in the consultation process.

The plans divide the city into five districts – East, Central, West, North and South – each with specific planning and development priorities, and are intended to provide the framework for achieving the commission's vision of Sydney as comprised of three connected cities, where homes, jobs and services can be accessed within 30 minutes.

The plans will shape the size and scale of development across Sydney, as councils will be required to update their local environmental plan to give effect to the district plan once they are finalised.