The RICS COBRA Conference is held annually. The aim of COBRA is to provide a platform for the dissemination of original research and new developments within the specific disciplines, sub-disciplines or field of study of: Management of the construction process • Cost and value management • Building technology • Legal aspects of construction and procurement • Public private partnerships • Health and safety • Procurement • Risk management • Project management The built asset • Property investment theory and practice • Indirect property investment • Property market forecasting • Property pricing and appraisal • Law of property, housing and land use planning • Urban development • Planning and property markets • Financial analysis of the property market and property assets • The dynamics of residential property markets • Global comparative analysis of property markets • Building occupation • Sustainability and real estate • Sustainability and environmental law • Building performance The property industry • Information technology • Innovation in education and training • Human and organisational aspects of the industry • Alternative dispute resolution and conflict management • Professional education and training Peer review process All papers submitted to COBRA were subjected to a double-blind (peer review) refereeing process. Referees were drawn from an expert panel, representing respected academics from the construction and building research community. The conference organisers wish to extend their appreciation to the following members of the panel for their work, which is invaluable to the success of COBRA. Abstract This paper is based on a doctoral research that aims to investigate how women's needs can be mainstreamed into disaster risk reduction in the built environment. The paper reviews literature to emphasise the importance of gender mainstreaming in disaster risk reduction and presents the findings of the study's literature review and its pilot interviews. Methodology of the overall research is briefly explained in addition to the methods used to prepare this paper. Literature suggests that women face different conditions in disasters due to their different social roles and responsibilities and as a result, women have different needs in disaster risk reduction. In fulfilling the needs of women in disaster risk reduction, the built environment performs a significant role. In this context, it is identified that gender mainstreaming can integrate a gender perspective into disaster risk reduction in the built environment and identify the varying needs and vulnerabilities of women. The paper presents its findings to indicate that …