We use an extended and homogeneous data set of Galactic planetary nebulae (PNe) to study the metallicity gradients and the Galactic structure and evolution. The most up-to-date abundances, distances (calibrated with Magellanic Cloud PNe), and other parameters have been employed, together with a novel homogeneous morphological classification, to characterize the different PN populations. We studied the {alpha}-element distribution within the Galactic disk, and found that the best selected disk population (i.e., excluding bulge and halo component), together with the most reliable PN distance scale yields to a radial oxygen gradient of {Delta}log(O/H)/{Delta}R_G_=-0.023+/-0.006dex/kpc for the whole disk sample, and of {Delta}log(O/H)/{Delta}R_G_=-0.035+/-0.024, -0.023+/-0.005, and -0.011+/-0.013dex/kpc, respectively for Type I, II, and III PNe, i.e., for high-, intermediate-, and low-mass progenitors. We also extend the Galactic metallicity gradient comparison by revisiting the open cluster [Fe/H] data from high resolution spectroscopy.