In one embodiment, a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media stores computer instructions. The computer instructions, when executed by a processor, are configured to send one or more requests including an access token to retrieve, access, view, subscribe, or modify data elements of a data model representative of one or more smart environments. The access token is associated with at least an application programming interface (API) client or API client device and one or more scopes granted to the API client or API client device. The one or more scopes provide one or more access rights to one or more of the data elements of the data model defined by a hierarchical position of the data elements in the data model represented by a respective path to the data elements.