Auckland is bracing for greater urban sprawl to match the city's rapidly growing population. (Video firstp ublished in July 2016)

Two Hamiltons' worth of housing development will be crammed into Auckland by 2030.

A combination of future urban zoning and special housing areas will hasten housing intensification, Auckland Transport's chief executive David Warburton said.

Warburton briefed media Wednesday on the sheer size of planning challenges the Auckland Council-controlled agency faces in relation to the region's booming population.

MIKE SCOTT/FAIRFAX NZ Auckland will add the equivalent of two Hamiltons to its housing areas by 2030, Auckland Transport said.

South Auckland is predicted to get an entire 98 square km development increase all to itself - the size of Waikato's Hamilton.

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The North Shore and west Auckland will get half a Hamilton each, Warburton said.

Auckland's population could hit two million by 2033, Statistics New Zealand projections suggest.

Statistics New Zealand predicts Auckland's population will hit two million in roughly the same time period.

By 2046 the number of commuters is expected to skyrocket, especially to and from Auckland's CBD.

Presently, about 200,000 people are working or being educated in the CBD. By 2046 that number will jump by a third to 300,000.

The agency has a three-decade strategic network plan, starting with its marquee project, the City Rail Link.

The plan also involves extending the Northern Busway while considering putting in light rail in central Auckland.

By the third decade it's hoped an additional Auckland Harbour crossing will be complete, while other projects, including possibly extending light rail further, will be running in response to Auckland's ballooning population.