Abstract: Climate change adaptation is not simply a technical question that can be solved with engineered measures and technological fixes. It is a social, cultural, and political question. Structured as a commentary rather than a discussion of specific research findings, this article aims to be agenda-setting by providing a perspective on the implications of climate change and sea level rise (SLR) on urban delta regions. These regions face the “wicked problem” of reconciling ongoing urban development with ecosystem health and regeneration. The article outlines three interconnected challenge areas at the intersection of coastal adaptation and spatial justice, including 1) coastal habitat squeeze; 2) critical infrastructure, and; 3) managed retreat. It concludes by providing a call to action for designers to critically address these issues through the lens of spatial justice.